A few more from Cyprus April 12-19th.... (1 Viewer)

KenM

Well-known member

• May 6, 2014

• #1

For the first two images, I'm unsure of the age of these Black-eared Wheatears, noting that Image 1. appears to be showing white tips to the tail?

With the last two images showing Sardinian Warbler..clearly melanocephala in the first Image and what appears to be a very pale (even allowing for the bright light) individual, or could it be of the race momus? Cheers

 

Attachments

• 
  Wheatear sp. Cyprus 1..jpg

  120.3 KB · Views: 102
• 
  Wheatear sp. Cyprus..jpg

  255.5 KB · Views: 102
• 
  Sardinian perched up 1..jpg

  170.3 KB · Views: 93
• 
  Sardinian whole..jpg

  202.5 KB · Views: 99

SJC

Well-known member

• May 7, 2014

• #2

Black-eared Wheatear x2 and Sardinian Warbler x2

 

KenM

Well-known member

• May 7, 2014

• #3

SJC said:

Black-eared Wheatear x2 and Sardinian Warbler x2

Click to expand...

Yes the ID's of both species had already been established, perhaps if I was more specific. I presume that you are a local and have good experience of both species? This latest trip for me represented only my second week on Cyprus within the last 28 years, therefore It was a learning curve for me regarding BEW and SW.

White tips to the tail of an immature male Black-eared Wheatear...just put it down to variability?

Just the nominate race of melanocephala, Sardinian Warbler known to occur ?

Cheers

 

I

Iraq Babbler

Well-known member

• May 7, 2014

• #4

Hybrids among BEW and other sympathetic can be found with many unexplained tail pattern?

Omar

 

KenM

Well-known member

• May 7, 2014

• #5

Iraq Babbler said:

Hybrids among BEW and other sympathetic can be found with many unexplained tail pattern?

Omar

Click to expand...

Thanks Omar...I did see a lot of variation within the dark-throated and pale-throated forms of BEW, although the tail patterns of those that I saw seemed consistent...hence the question, with this 1st/2nd year male? looking particularly attractive. Cheers

 

Attachments

• 
  Black eared Wheatear.6..jpg

  480.3 KB · Views: 54
• 
  Black eared Wheatear.2..jpg

  347.5 KB · Views: 44

SJC

Well-known member

• May 8, 2014

• #6

Sorry I didn't read the question properly. Not sure about the white tips to the tail of the Black-eared Wheatear, I only just noticed this in your photo and have no idea if it means anything.

There's a Sardinian Warbler study going on in Cyprus and to the best of my knowledge so far it is assumed that all the birds here are melanocephala. There is an interesting melanistic variant that has appeared in Cyprus over the last few years. There seem to be quite a few of these melanistic birds in one particular area. Here's a thread:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=164663&highlight=melanistic+sardinian+warbler