Hippolais (1 Viewer)

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rafo1

Well-known member

• May 7, 2004

• #1

Anyone care to confirm the ID of this bird before I put it in the gallery, its 1 of several that require a thumbs up. It was taken in the desert near Qatbit, Oman; no voice it was 44deg in the shade and it took everything to breath, I believe it to be Upcher's Warbler (Hippolais Languida) but Olivaceous (Hippolais Pallidais) is also a distinct possibility as they are both about at the time of year - mid april.

Colin

 

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Jane Turner

Well-known member

• May 7, 2004

• #2

Its no Olivaceaous... would want to rule out Olive-tree though and can't remember how just now!

Added: Ah yes Primary projection! Yes it looks great for Upchers, but I'm basing all that on build and demeanor!

 

M

mountain man

Guest

• May 7, 2004

• #3

I've seen "elaeica" Olivaceous (they are split now aren't they?) and it looked much smaller than this.

If you say it's Upchers that sounds fine by me - never seen one, but I thought that it was Olive Tree that had the more prominent pale wing panel? That looks to be very prominent.

 

Jane Turner

Well-known member

• May 7, 2004

• #4

It was the wing panel and head structure that made me think Olive-tree - but OT has a huge primary projection!

 

G

godwit

Well-known member

• May 7, 2004

• #5

I think the tertial spacings in particular probably clinch this as Upcher's, middle tertial is closer to longest than shortest (more equal spacings in other Hippolais).

Dave

 

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rafo1

Well-known member

• May 7, 2004

• #6

How about this shot, any clearer. I've got a few more from various angles as well. There's apparently a size difference I believe the Olivaceous is smaller. Olive tree - only one record in Oman.

 

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M

mountain man

Guest

• May 7, 2004

• #7

Collins says that the supercillium on Olive Tree doesn't reach behind the eye, but does on Upchers. So that's another point in favour of Upchers.

 

cuckooroller

Registered User

• May 7, 2004

• #8

tom mckinney said:

I've seen "elaeica" Olivaceous (they are split now aren't they?) and it looked much smaller than this.

If you say it's Upchers that sounds fine by me - never seen one, but I thought that it was Olive Tree that had the more prominent pale wing panel? That looks to be very prominent.

Click to expand...

Taxonomy note:

The old Olivaceous Warbler - Hippolais pallida was split on the Clement's and the SM to Western Olivaceous Warbler - Hippolais opaca (monotypic) and Eastern Olivaceous Warbler - Hippolais pallida with subspecies elaeica, pallida, reiseri and laeneni. Upcher's Warbler Hipplais languida has never been associated as far as I know and is monotypic. But, the much more authoritative Howard & Moore by virtue of the fact that some species treated in old Hippolais are more related to Acrocephalus than some of the other members of old Hippolais have place Booted Warbler, Syke's Warbler and Olivaceous Warbler into new genus Iduna. Their Olivaceous Warbler (Iduna pallida) contemplates subspecies opaca, elaeica, tamariceti, reiseri, pallida and laeneni.

 

Birdspotter

Well-known member

• May 7, 2004

• #9

I have no experiance of either Upchers or Olive Tree, but none the less after consulting the Collins guide I would have to go for Upchers.
As Jayne pointed out Olive Tree is excluded by the primary projection, but also the undertail coverts and sides on this species is not unlike Barred warbler according to Collins(though my terminology).
Collins also goes on to state that the primarys and tail on Upchers are dark and indeed the photo's show these features.
There is the slight possibility of Olivaeceous Warbler, however the birds build and jizz seems to be wrong for this species.
I have seen Olivaeceous Warblers with pale primary panels in the past in autumn but I am unsure if they show this in spring.
Nice shots now i know what im looking for when im next in the Golan heights.

 

R

rafo1

Well-known member

• May 7, 2004

• #10

Thanks everybody for that, don't know why I waited so long to join bird forum, learning curves going up.

Colin