Bunting in Kathmandu, 7 September 2021: Red-headed or Black-headed or ... (1 Viewer)

[Arend]

Dear All,
This bird I saw yesterday in Kathmandu, just long enough to take three quick digiscope pics. It seems to be a worn female Black-headed or a Red-headed Bunting. Both species are very rare here, and I certainly have not seen them here before. Is the choice between red- or black- like in a casino, a toss-up, or do you see things that make your choice definite?

Many thanks for any reaction
Arend

 

[Butty]

Chestnut-shouldered petronia?

 

[THE_FERN]

Chestnut-shouldered petronia?

Not if that's the same as this:

https://ebird.org/species/chspet1

 

[Arend]

Chestnut-shouldered petronia?

Thanks for suggesting other species, that is needed. I also looked at that, but I think those streaks on the head rule out Petronia

 

[Brian J Small]

Red-headed Bunting based solely on my impression of smaller bill than I like to see on BhB, though these two species are notoriously hard to separate and your photos may not actually be 100% identifiable.

Brian

 

[andyb39]

Is there any significance in the yellow malar and pinkish bill? The bill does look small but I'm not sure on this one.