Wheatear, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (1 Viewer)

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BirdingRob

Brit abroad

• Feb 9, 2012

• #1

I was just about to blog about the onset of the passage through central Arabia (eg barn swallows, woodchat shrike seen today etc) and I was going to illustrate with one of the many Isabelline wheatears in the fields

then...I got cold feet, I am not sure the one I have got photos of is an Isabelline or a female northern wheatear. Which is it? There were tens of obvious isabellines around but I chose this one!

I see features of both species in this bird

Help please ?

Rob www.birdingforalark.blogspot.com

 

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Motmot

Eduardo Amengual

• Feb 9, 2012

• #2

I get a Desert Wheatear feel about this bird.

 

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BirdingRob

Brit abroad

• Feb 9, 2012

• #3

I have got a third picture which shows might shed more light.

Hadn't considered female desert wheatear. Still unsure

 

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dwatsonbirder

Well-known member

• Feb 9, 2012

• #4

100% desert wheatear. All dark tail with white contrasting rump, dark wings and overall sandy appearance all good id features.

 

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BirdingRob

Brit abroad

• Feb 9, 2012

• #5

I am convinced! Once again thanks for the quick responses. I have learned another lesson.