Stonechat ID from Al Ain, UAE, 20.11.2017. (1 Viewer)

peterarras

Well-known member

• Nov 20, 2017

• #1

Hi all,
which Stonechat it can be?
Thanks in advance.
Cheers
Peter.

 

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Steve Lister

Senior Birder, ex County Recorder, Garden Moths.

• Nov 20, 2017

• #2

Not as easy as it used to be.

Beyond calling it an 'eastern Stonechat' you need better photos and ideally a DNA sample.

Steve

 

CARERY

Well-known member

• Nov 20, 2017

• #3

Steve Lister said:

Not as easy as it used to be.

Beyond calling it an 'eastern Stonechat' you need better photos and ideally a DNA sample.

Steve

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Agree. But "better" photos could be a misleading request. The photos are really good but don't show the details needed to dare an ID. Peter, do you have photos showing rump and tail?

 

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andyb39

Well-known member

• Nov 21, 2017

• #4

You both seem to be suggesting there are other possibilities than Siberian/Eastern Stonechat?

 

CARERY

Well-known member

• Nov 21, 2017

• #5

It is an Eastern Stonechat. But there are several ssp. possible in the Gulf Region. To ID on ssp-level you would need to see more of the tail/rump...

 

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andyb39

Well-known member

• Nov 21, 2017

• #6

You mean hemprichii?

 

CARERY

Well-known member

• Nov 21, 2017

• #7

andyb39 said:

You mean hemprichii?

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Yes and possibly variegatus? But of course my post was a bit sloppy. I meant to say I can imagine that more than just S. m. maurus might occur.

 

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andyb39

Well-known member

• Nov 21, 2017

• #8

There are some records of hemprichii (22, mostly in spring) but none of variegatus, and no records of any other subspecies/species. Generally speaking maurus isn't present between Nov and Feb/March.

 

peterarras

Well-known member

• Nov 21, 2017

• #9

Thanks Steve, Roland and Andy,
here is an other picture, I don't know if it helps!
Cheers
Peter

 

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tittletattler

Well-known member

• Nov 21, 2017

• #10

peterarras said:

Thanks Steve, Roland and Andy,
here is an other picture, I don't know if it helps!
Cheers
Peter

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Last image suggests that it's not variegata. Probably Maura? Quite dusky looking and the bill isn't all that small so perhaps stejnegeri can't be ruled out either.

 

CARERY

Well-known member

• Nov 21, 2017

• #11

tittletattler said:

Last image suggests that it's not variegata. Probably Maura? Quite dusky looking and the bill isn't all that small so perhaps stejnegeri can't be ruled out either.

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I don't think the last photo shows enough to rule out variegata. I agree it seems the tail feathers have no white at the base but I wouldn't be sure. I would like to see the tail spread or in flight...