Warbler in Amman, Jordan? (1 Viewer)

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PaulWWagner

New member

• Apr 16, 2013

• #1

I saw this bird today in a park in Amman (two photos attached). It was very energetic and difficult to photograph. Lively singing, too.

My initial guess was an Eastern Olivaceous Warbler (Iduna pallida), but the undertail coverts are too long and the shape and color are off (should be paler grey-green if Olivaceous). So maybe a Reed (A. scirpaceus) or Marsh (A. palustris)? But I have no idea how to tell them apart!

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KenM

Well-known member

• Apr 16, 2013

• #2

As you suggest it's an Acro...pp appears to be 2/3rds of overlying tertials..probably scirpaceus...can you recall the song? If there was a general ''tirri-tirri-tirrit'' often interspersed...I would reckon Reed Warbler as being the most likely candidate.

cheers

 

Motmot

Eduardo Amengual

• Apr 16, 2013

• #3

I see some primary emarginations that would look odd on an Acro and the undertail coverts don't seem to be a no-no for EOW imo.

 

KenM

Well-known member

• Apr 16, 2013

• #4

Motmot said:

I see some primary emarginations that would look odd on an Acro and the undertail coverts don't seem to be a no-no for EOW imo.

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Either that or...P5 over-shadowing the rest..giving the impression of emarginations being in the wrong place?

Presumably EOW assumes paler/sandy upperparts as it ranges East?

 

Tib78

Well-known member

• Apr 16, 2013

• #5

KenM said:

Presumably EOW assumes paler/sandy upperparts as it ranges East?

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Where does that come from Ken?

If the subject bird is a Reed warbler, then it is the palest returning Spring bird ever .
Seriously the bird completely lacks the richer tones of Reed warbler, the lores look quite pale and the central tail feathers looks shorter than the rest of the tail. It is not easy to see whether or not the emargination on P3 is real, but it is at the right place for EOW.

 

KenM

Well-known member

• Apr 17, 2013

• #6

Tib78 said:

Where does that come from Ken?

If the subject bird is a Reed warbler, then it is the palest returning Spring bird ever .
Seriously the bird completely lacks the richer tones of Reed warbler, the lores look quite pale and the central tail feathers looks shorter than the rest of the tail. It is not easy to see whether or not the emargination on P3 is real, but it is at the right place for EOW.

Click to expand...

I concur completely...that the bird does not have the more rufous tones that one would normally associate with RW..however I have never seen RW in that neck of the woods..(can they appear/are paler?)..I for one don't know.

However, having looked at image 2..for the first time!..I believe it does look more Hippo than Acro.(must fire less from the hip!) and your probably right.

 

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PaulWWagner

New member

• Apr 17, 2013

• #7

Thank you, all, for your insights. It was singing nearly non-stop. The song was not a general ''tirri-tirri-tirrit'', but quite varied and lengthy.

 

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PaulWWagner

New member

• Apr 17, 2013

• #8

I guess I'm not up to speed on the acronyms...what does P3 and P5 mean...?

 

KenM

Well-known member

• Apr 17, 2013

• #9

PaulWWagner said:

I guess I'm not up to speed on the acronyms...what does P3 and P5 mean...?

Click to expand...

Imagine..you have a wing spread..in your hand, looking at the 'leading edge' you'd probably miss p1 (primary1..very small!) which Is circa half-way down the wing ..however..If you then move to the end of the 'leading edge', you will see what should be called P1 (as it's pretty obvious..the outermost finger), then count back in sequential order along the trailing edge, until you hit the secondaries (probably after about P7).

Hope that kinda gives a crude understanding of how it works?

My interpretation..might just give an expert the pre-requisite to jump in with a more biometrical answer.

Cheers

 

phil baber

Clipped Wing

• Apr 18, 2013

• #10

I get an EOW feeling from these photos...

 

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PaulWWagner

New member

• Apr 18, 2013

• #11

Thank you for the explanation, KenM. Very helpful!

I think I'll stick with EOW, though the markings around the eye as shown in "Birds of the Middle East" by Porter and Aspinall don't seem to match this one.

Thank you, all! I'll be exploring a wadi around the Dead Sea this weekend, so hoping for some interesting sightings!