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chiffchaff identification, I need help (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter chiffchaff13
- Start date
Cristian Mihai
Cristian Mihai
A Chiffchaff with a dirty head.
Geoff WORCS
Well-known member
These pictures have either been manipulated or the photographic equipment is faulty or poor and as such any id based on colour is invalid. In 35 years I've never seen a chiffchaff with that acrid geen colour ?
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dan pointon
Can't Stop
Maybe marginally bright but overall looks perfectly fine to me. Definitely a chiffchaff
Geoff WORCS
Well-known member
The black at the base of the bill and jet black legs ? are a consequence of too much contrast and the whole image looks over highlighted. OK it may have been grubbing around in a jar of tar but did it dip its legs in for good measure ? Have you ever heard of Chiffchaff legs being described as jet black ? I think not.
dan pointon
Can't Stop
The pics just extremely contrasty due to the lighting. Overall it looks nothing other than a normal chiffchaff- I really don't see much up with the leg colour at all. Besides which, there's no alternative option. The black at the base of the bill is just dirt.
dantheman
Bah humbug
Think the legs look shiny black (as does the black on the face) for the same reason the rest of the pic looks odd - contrast of the photo all wrong for whatever reason (camera settings or post processing presumably). The shadows under the vegetation are also disproportionately 'black' imo.
Agree it ends up just being a Chiffchaff though - although it should be noted Iberian Chiffchaff is definitely a possibility in this area (the primaries on the far side of the bird do look a bit longer perhaps, the super is quite strong, and yes it is bright), but as the colours are fairly up the creek, can't really comment further beyond that
The black on the face is most likely to be pollen from whatever exotic/semi-exotic plants it has been plunging its head into to feed in (on insects or the pollen itself) I'm thinking.
Agree it ends up just being a Chiffchaff though - although it should be noted Iberian Chiffchaff is definitely a possibility in this area (the primaries on the far side of the bird do look a bit longer perhaps, the super is quite strong, and yes it is bright), but as the colours are fairly up the creek, can't really comment further beyond that
The black on the face is most likely to be pollen from whatever exotic/semi-exotic plants it has been plunging its head into to feed in (on insects or the pollen itself) I'm thinking.
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phil baber
Clipped Wing
It's almost ripe time for Iberians to figure in that region. But, again, something wrong with the colour balance in these images...
chiffchaff13
Well-known member
I was only wondering why the black around the beek, not entering a photo competition with world specialists (true, the thumbnails pictures are overcontrasted, I should have checked this). I won't bother anyone again. thank you for those who did try and help.
dantheman
Bah humbug
I wouldn't worry too much about any implied criticism of the pics - it just gave another dimension for people to argue over
Cameras do funny things sometimes. It is true that images are odd, there is no getting away from that, although it appears they still are Chiffchaff, it has made it trickier to see what is going on tbh ... and potentially more interesting (would've been interesting to see what it actually looked like - but I imagine correcting the contrast must be too tricky now).
Google "chiffchaff pollen on head" to see some similar examples.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=c...v&sa=X&ei=gsrRVLTLHei67gboqYGIAg&ved=0CC4QsAQ
(And it's not a photo competition, but there are some world specialists on here )
Cameras do funny things sometimes. It is true that images are odd, there is no getting away from that, although it appears they still are Chiffchaff, it has made it trickier to see what is going on tbh ... and potentially more interesting (would've been interesting to see what it actually looked like - but I imagine correcting the contrast must be too tricky now).
Google "chiffchaff pollen on head" to see some similar examples.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=c...v&sa=X&ei=gsrRVLTLHei67gboqYGIAg&ved=0CC4QsAQ
(And it's not a photo competition, but there are some world specialists on here
)chiffchaff13
Well-known member
thank you "Dantheman", a reliable and sound advice is what I expected. I have looked at the photos on the link you sent, this is exactly what "mine" looked like. unfortunately poor morning light under the trees has made me use a flashlight which has modified the shadows and overall tone. the bird looked fine though. thank you !
Richard Prior
Halfway up an Alp
I echo Dan's comments Chiffchaff13, don't be discouraged from 'bothering' again with more questions, Birdforum has a wide range of people on it, nearly everyone likes to help, though we often like to have a 'lively' exchange of opinions too !
exchange of opinions too !
Chris-Leeds
Well-known member
Not everyone has a flashy camera and the best knowledge on how to get the sharpest photos from them either. Mine are a lot worse so don't worry about posting again.
iraqbabbler
Well-known member
Hi chiffchaff13, I think your photos are interesting; please continue to contribute o
Geoff WORCS
Well-known member
Hi Chiffchaff13, on reflection I came across a little abruft. No criticism intended.
Please keep posting.
Please keep posting.
