3 birds in Rouen, France (3 Viewers)

[Clibanarii]

Starting to learn about birds in Europe...
These 3 species were photographed in July in Rouen, France..
thank you / merci d'avance

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,
the Swallow is a House Martin. White throat, mealy white underside and lack of tailstreamers excludes similar other common species.
Last one is a Black Redstart. Please note red tail (hence the name), coalblack plumage and habitat ( species originates from cliff, rocky, mountain habitats that has habituated to human habitats).

Most difficult bird for me is the first: is either a Comon Chiffchaff or a Garden warbler.
If forced I would opt for a Garden Warbler:

• It's quite rare, but regular for a Chiffchaff to lack any greeenish, olive or yelowish hues in worn summer plumage. But god for Garden Warbler.
• Strong legs seems better for a Garden Warbler
• Same with the appearant strong deep based bill (nearly triangular) bill
• The head pattern with a twinkling eye impression is more regular in Garden Warbler than in Chiffchaff.

But I hope it has become clear, why these features don't exclude a Chiffchaff with confidence. It's just my gut feeling, that your bird is a Garden Warbler.
I hope for more pictures and comments.

 

[Simon G]

Doesn't the second picture show rather a long tail for either warbler? I'm thinking another Redstart but not sure which one.

 

[Jos Stratford]

I could be persuaded that #1 is a poor quality image of female Black Redstart

 

[ryckfour]

I could be persuaded that #1 is a poor quality image of female Black Redstart

That was my reaction too

 

[BenjiS]

Couldn't the first picture be a Grey Wagtail?
Greyish body - tail fairly long and seemingly yellow on the underside in the first picture - could be way off but that was my original thought when seeing the photo.

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,
thanks to all! Yes, sorry my comment wasnt clear:
(a) is a Garden Warbler (or a Chiffchaff) imo
(b) is a House Martin
(c) is a Black Redstart

 

[dantheman]

Starting to learn about birds in Europe...
These 3 species were photographed in July in Rouen, France..
thank you / merci d'avance

My first thoughts were Chiffchaff, House Martin and Black Redstart.

But I can see where people are coming with the other options for bird 1).


Do you have any more images for bird 1?

 

[S_Man]

a. I can't remember seeing a Chiffchaff on a flat surface like this... maybe Garden Warbler.

 

[dantheman]

a. I can't remember seeing a Chiffchaff on a flat surface like this... maybe Garden Warbler.

I've never seen Garden Warblers on flat surfaces!! ( ;-) ) I've seen 2 nominate Chiffchaff this year - both were hopping about on the ground, and one even sat perched on an empty pallet. EDIT: 3 - I forgot the the other one was on a low wall, then a picnic table, then the top of a portaloo lol. I have yet to see a normal Chiffchaff in a bush or tree yet this year! (A single tristis was in the treetops)

Admittedly a different season. (I'm not saying the current bird is a Chiffchaff)

 

[S_Man]

I've never seen Garden Warblers on flat surfaces!! ( ;-) ) I've seen 2 nominate Chiffchaff this year - both were hopping about on the ground, and one even sat perched on an empty pallet.

Admittedly a different season. (I'm not saying the current bird is a Chiffchaff)

If you say so...
( ;-) ) ( ;-) )( ;-) )

 

[Butty]

If you say so...

Not sure what that means. If Mr Dan says he's seen something I don't see a point in casting doubt on it.

 

[jogresh]

First impression is a Chiffy for the Warblery thing 🤔🐦

 

[dantheman]

Maybe I was the only one unobservant on initial look, but the flat surface Bird 1 is on is the flat top of a closely pruned hedge I believe, not any other garden feature like a wall etc ...

 

[Clibanarii]

thank you all
I learned quite a bit from your back and forth 😉🙏

 

[Clibanarii]

So I'm using Merlin for d it's saying Common Chiffchaff, for the same time and location ... can you confirm please?
for e, any idea what these 4 are?

 

[Butty]

I'm using Merlin for d it's saying Common Chiffchaff

Oh dear. It's a black redstart - see the tail colour.

 

[aeshna5]

Agree Black Redstart for first image. If the 4 in the other shots are all the same species, then Linnet is the far right bird , the only one I can see well enough.

 

[S_Man]

So I'm using Merlin for d it's saying Common Chiffchaff, for the same time and location ... can you confirm please?
for e, any idea what these 4 are?

That's the problem with AI you still need to check everything... even if it has become incredibly efficient with good pictures, in some conditions you get very weird results!

For e. either a Linnet or a Goldfinch on the right, not sure they are all the same species...

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,

agree with all, all 4 birds in (e) are Linnets imo.
Taking all pictures together, please note

• the right chestnut upperparts
• warm peachybuff underparts, seemingly following the shape of the breast-muscles and leaving the central belly white
• contrasting grey head with the right face impression in the left and right bird (picture 3, just guessable in the other birds too)
• much white in the tailsides, judgeable with enough confidence imo because oft multiple pictures

similar coloured Penduline Tit nearly lacks white in the tail and is very rare in C and NE France