Another Scaly/White's Thrush, Guangxi, China (1 Viewer)

[Barbets48]

About a year ago I posted photos of a Zoothera thrush observed in January, which several of you helped to ID as a likely White's Thrush.

Recently saw two more zoothera, one of which has photos. These were taken in the western part of Guangxi, bordering Yunnan province. Wondering if the time difference (April, not January) affects the likelihood of which species it would be, or if these photos provide any ID clues?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Grahame Walbridge]

About a year ago I posted photos of a Zoothera thrush observed in January, which several of you helped to ID as a likely White's Thrush.

Recently saw two more zoothera, one of which has photos. These were taken in the western part of Guangxi, bordering Yunnan province. Wondering if the time difference (April, not January) affects the likelihood of which species it would be, or if these photos provide any ID clues?

Thanks,
Mike

Hi Mike, the images are less than ideal e.g blurred and consequently not unidentifiable beyond White's/Scaly IMHO. One would require far better quality images to make a stab at an ID. AFAIK, there are no diagnostic plumage differences, just subtle average differences so, aside from number of tail feathers, one is left with attempting to assess structural differences (e.g bill) which is always subjective, unless in the hand. See this e-Bird entry from a very experienced Thai https://ebird.org/checklist/S124557...94.453865117.1676382742-1284171338.1671430923 the lower bird is recorded as White's/Scaly by Ayuwat despite his familiarity with both species. My assumption is, though he suspects Scaly, the longer bill has raised doubts?

@johnallcock raised an important issue regarding the unresolved status of Scaly in China in the earlier thread, which may well be relevant in this instance Zoothera Thrush ID, Guangxi, China According to the latest MacKinnon (2022), Scaly breeds to W Guangxi which, if true, suggests both species might occur at this location in Apr. However, the author incorrectly states Scaly's breeding range extends to Europe!

Grahame