Is this a Bonelli's Warbler - Sudan (1 Viewer)

tomjenner

Well-known member

• Apr 13, 2012

• #1

I took these poor photos this evening near khartoum and I think they might be a Bonelli's Warbler (it would be an Eastern one here). Unfortunately the bird did not show well and did not show the wings or rump properly. I think they are all of the same bird, but I cannot be sure as there was a short gap when it was out of view. The head pattern looks good to me, but is it conclusive from these shots? Any help appreciated.

Tom

 

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  Possible Bonellis 1.jpg

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  Possible Bonellis 2.jpg

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  Possible Bonellis 3.jpg

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njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Apr 13, 2012

• #2

Tom, I am very far from an expert on this, but compare your third image to this one: http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=358912

Your bird looks a lot shorter in the rear end, both primary extension and shape of undertail looks off. Of course, it could be a wrong impression from a strange stance ...

Niels

 

KenM

Well-known member

• Apr 13, 2012

• #3

On enlargement..I believe that I can discern an ''olivey'' tint to the secondaries..thus allowing for the ''awful'' lighting..and the supportive head pattern!..I might just lean towards orientalis.....although better shots of the wing..might tell all?


cheers

 

S

smiths

Well-known member

• Apr 15, 2012

• #4

Looking at the head pattern, the colour of legs and feet, and the apparent width of the legs, I get the strong impression that the bird in photo 3 is not the same as in the first two photos.

The strong dark eyestripe, both in front as well as behind the eye, and the yellow tinge on the supercilium make the first bird (first two photos) look like a Willow Warbler.

The other bird (in photo 3) seems to have a head pattern, plumage colour, whitish tail side, and shape mostly like Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, but more photographs would be welcome.

 

JANJ

Well-known member

• Apr 15, 2012

• #5

I Agree with Peter that we probably are dealing with two individuals.
If the first one in the two pic are a Willow Warbler remains to be seen, however, it does look like it. The second bird shows characters of EOW - in that Peter might be correct.
More pic Tom?

None of them are however, Bonneli´s.

A set of Bonneli´s here for comparison:

http://www.pbase.com/dophoto/luibianco&page=all
http://www.pbase.com/dophoto/lubiancorientale

JanJ

 

S

screaming piha

Well-known member

• Apr 15, 2012

• #6

Hi Tom

Tough stuff. The first two look too strongly marked around the face for Bonelli's. A minor detail to add to smiths and JANJ's comments is that the bird in the third pic looks like it has a white outer tail feather, which supports the idea it is an Olivaceous. I have no idea whether you get any of the resident African forms there but I guess Eastern is a likely migrant?

John

 

tomjenner

Well-known member

• Apr 16, 2012

• #7

Thanks for all the comments. I had wondered whether or not to include the third picture, as I was unsure whether or not it was the same individual. Eastern Olivaceous Warbler is a common resident bird at this location, so well done Smiths for picking that up. The other bird does seem very greyish to me, but I am prepared to accept that it must be a Willow Warbler.

Tom