Basra reed warbler ??? Northern Mozambique. (1 Viewer)

bassel

Well-known member

• Jan 2, 2015

• #1

Hello for all

I just came from a birding trip to the Ruvuma river delta in extreme northern Mozambique very near the Tanzanian border and which is covered in the winter range for the Endangered Basra reed warbler . upon arrival , instantly a great reed warbler started to sing ( Photo one ) . I played the sound playback for Basra reed warbler and heard a very similar sound from the vicinity where I shot pics of the bird in photos 2 , 3 and 4 . I am optimistic on Basra reed but I need your opinion please . It will not be lesser swamp owing to the long PP and the overall colour is cold brown also it is pale rufous on the flanks .Also the well marked white supercilium is clearly seen . Please help and confirm

 

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H

HH75

Well-known member

• Jan 2, 2015

• #2

The subject bird's primary projection is nowhere near as long as I'd expect on a Basra Reed Warbler (around 100% of exposed tertial length), that species is said to have grey legs, the bill isn't clearly visible but, even allowing for Basra Reed Warbler being smaller than the true 'large unstreaked Acros', I am getting an impression of a Reed/Mangrove Reed Warbler type bird here.

 

bassel

Well-known member

• Jan 2, 2015

• #3

HH75 said:

The subject bird's primary projection is nowhere near as long as I'd expect on a Basra Reed Warbler (around 100% of exposed tertial length), that species is said to have grey legs, the bill isn't clearly visible but, even allowing for Basra Reed Warbler being smaller than the true 'large unstreaked Acros', I am getting an impression of a Reed/Mangrove Reed Warbler type bird here.

Click to expand...

MMM . Thanks HH .

Your comment makes sense as I didn't notice the leg colour doesn't match . I depended on the range and the possible acros that will occur in the location . As field guides state that only great reef=d and Basra reed will occur there , but not eurasian reed nor marsh warbler

 

Valéry Schollaert

Respect animals, don't eat or wear their body or s

• Jan 2, 2015

• #4

Interesting bird. Just for the record, I got one Basra RW in Quirimbas NP early December 2011... the only one of my life. I'm interested by the comment on specialists on that photo.

 

bassel

Well-known member

• Jan 3, 2015

• #5

Valéry Schollaert said:

Interesting bird. Just for the record, I got one Basra RW in Quirimbas NP early December 2011... the only one of my life. I'm interested by the comment on specialists on that photo.

Click to expand...

That's interesting indeed. What could it be then . Is a marsh warbler a possibility ??

 

Valéry Schollaert

Respect animals, don't eat or wear their body or s

• Jan 3, 2015

• #6

I'd like to have Tib's opinion.

 

I

Iraq Babbler

Well-known member

• Jan 3, 2015

• #7

hello bassel,

BOTH are not Basra Reed Warbler at all and 100% sure.

The first is great reed warbler, and the second is a migrant Reed warbler.

BRW, is intermediat heavey gizz, very long and distictive bill, grey legs, very pale underparts, longish appearance, and erict stand.

Omar

 

Valéry Schollaert

Respect animals, don't eat or wear their body or s

• Jan 3, 2015

• #8

I could chat with Tib a few minutes earlier, he excluded also BRW, on which I largely agree. I think Omar is right, FWIW Eurasian RW is the best option IMO.

 

Brian J Small

Well-known member

• Jan 4, 2015

• #9

This article by Pearson et al should help. The long, almost arching fore supercilium is a good feature.

http://www.britishbirds.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/article_files/V81/V81_N04/V81_N04_P171_178_A042.pdf

Brian S

 

bassel

Well-known member

• Jan 20, 2015

• #10

Many thanks all for the confirmation . Will try hard to nail it in Northern Mozambique . A good chance will be here