Odd Chat on Cyprus? (1 Viewer)

[KenM]

Thought I'd try and bring some closure to this shown a few years ago.

This time I've lightened a 2nd image by reducing the black to show the rufous tail....it still concerns me regarding any definitive ID.

18th April 2014

Cheers

 

[SteveClifton]

Common Redstart

 

[birdboybowley]

Agreed

 

[KenM]

Initially seen in flight towards...Common Redstart I mouthed!...then it landed, looked nothing like Common Redstart! (and I’ve seen a few) dark contrasting primaries, with no pale super, a very odd looking individual indeed....:eek!:

 

[phil baber]

What about, Redstart??

 

[KenM]

Having observed 2nd year CRedstart males mostly brown/blue backed with an “almost” full head pattern, this would have to be an adult male?....but it doesn’t quite tick all the boxes...showing no head pattern and a white throat?
White-throated Robin was mooted by some observers, but once again...it doesn’t quite compare.

......dunno?

 

[PYRTLE]

If you allow your mind to wander, you could certainly take bits from various chats to come up with the bird in the photograph......redstart, w.t.robin, stonechat. Could be an escape from a Cypriot cage bird enthusiast.....a type of " mule" similar to those found in the UK whereby they hybradize European finches such as bullfinch, greenfinch, goldfinch in order to make up new plumages and songs. A bit like duck or falcon hybrids.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjAHegQIAhAB&usg=AOvVaw3Hcox6cx7pa2S938XxLapo
It's certainly not beyond the realms of fantasy that a cagebird enthusiast could have a w.t.robin and common redstart kept in captivity and thus the resulting sterile young could look something like the subject bird. Just a thought.

 

[KenM]

If you allow your mind to wander, you could certainly take bits from various chats to come up with the bird in the photograph......redstart, w.t.robin, stonechat. Could be an escape from a Cypriot cage bird enthusiast.....a type of " mule" similar to those found in the UK whereby they hybradize European finches such as bullfinch, greenfinch, goldfinch in order to make up new plumages and songs. A bit like duck or falcon hybrids.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjAHegQIAhAB&usg=AOvVaw3Hcox6cx7pa2S938XxLapo
It's certainly not beyond the realms of fantasy that a cagebird enthusiast could have a w.t.robin and common redstart kept in captivity and thus the resulting sterile young could look something like the subject bird. Just a thought.

A valid point P! and certainly a consideration, coz it doesn’t match anything that I can see in reference.

Regarding allowing the mind to wonder...something I’ve never done.

 

[CARERY]

Structurally it just looks like a Common Redstart to me. There is this phenomenon that females can attain male plumage characters (don't know the English translation of the German term: Hahnenfedrigkeit). I've found that there are several cases of (partly) male-plumaged female Common Redstarts. I suppose this is the case in the OP bird.

 

[bitterntwisted]

Structurally it just looks like a Common Redstart to me. There is this phenomenon that females can attain male plumage characters (don't know the English translation of the German term: Hahnenfedrigkeit). I've found that there are several cases of (partly) male-plumaged female Common Redstarts. I suppose this is the case in the OP bird.

I don't think we have a single word, but it's explained here, and is plausible for the subject bird... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-40016817

 

[Andy Adcock]

I'll be honest, when I first saw this image, Redstart didn't spring immediately to mind but I did flirt as Pat did, with the idea of W.t Robin influence just for a nano second.

 

[Simon Wates]

but I did flirt

I wouldn't mind that with a W-t Robin

 

[Andy Adcock]

I wouldn't mind that with a W-t Robin

Me too, not a bird I've seen yet.

 

[KenM]

I'll be honest, when I first saw this image, Redstart didn't spring immediately to mind but I did flirt as Pat did, with the idea of W.t Robin influence just for a nano second.

Mine was a lot longer than a nanosecond....

I wouldn't mind that with a W-t Robin

Fact often being stranger than fiction, exactly one year later (-2 days), and in exactly the same place (I believe an 18th for Cyprus) I saw this.....:eek!:

 

[Richard Prior]

Mine was a lot longer than a nanosecond....



Fact often being stranger than fiction, exactly one year later (-2 days), and in exactly the same place (I believe an 18th for Cyprus) I saw this.....:eek!:

Definite White t Robin influence in that one Ken

 

[PYRTLE]

Good photograph and record of a White Throated Robin, and a proper one at that too. Am surprised that you've not connected with one yet Andy given your extensive travels.
Regards,
Pat

 

[Andy Adcock]

Definite White t Robin influence in that one Ken

And maybe a touch of American Robin......

 

[Andy Adcock]

Good photograph and record of a White Throated Robin, and a proper one at that too. Am surprised that you've not connected with one yet Andy given your extensive travels.
Regards,
Pat

Although I've traveled widely within their range, I haven't really birded there.

Chasing Redpolls today, failed miserably to get a shot but when I do, Ken can sort the race out for me though they won't be anything surprising..

 

[NIKOSS]

I think it's a WTR after all...

 

[RafaelMatias]

In case it adds anything to the discussion, here's some more opinions on the OP bird:
1) https://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=322906&highlight=White-throated+Robin
2) https://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=302912&highlight=White-throated+Robin (post#9)