Chiffchaff, Common or Iberian? Pyrenees May 24 (1 Viewer)

[dragnil]

I have no experience of Iberian so would appreciate opinions on this bird (with reasons please so I can learn).
The song was different from common CC and more complex but I was concentrating more on getting a shot so I'm not really able to describe it except that it was "different".
I'm hoping the second image may show the wing structure which, to me, does seem to have a slightly greater PP than for CC but I am open to comments from all.
Thanks.

 

[Southern Viking]

I have no experience of Iberian so would appreciate opinions on this bird (with reasons please so I can learn).
The song was different from common CC and more complex but I was concentrating more on getting a shot so I'm not really able to describe it except that it was "different".
I'm hoping the second image may show the wing structure which, to me, does seem to have a slightly greater PP than for CC but I am open to comments from all.
Thanks.

When I was listening to the Portland bird back in the 90's it reminded me of a Chiffchaff doing a Reed Bunting (because of the hesitant start and rattle at the end). When I've heard them since I still feel the same. Honestly it'd need song, DNA, or one in the hand to confirm one.

Even in the Pyrenees, there was something written a while ago (hopefully someone has more details) about so called "Biscay Chiffchaff" which had intermediate voice and possibly other more structural details too.

 

[dragnil]

Hmm, my companion, who is much more knowledgeable than me, did utter the dreaded word, "hybrid"...

 

[rosbifs]

It was an interesting call

Bits of common, bits of Iberian then bits of the two together....

It was listed as Common/Iberian mixte by a couple of the other locals which presumably means hybrid.

I asked Dragnil to get some photos so we could have a look at the structure in the cold light of the laptop.

Either way had a lovely trip up to Pic du Jer and the first time I've been up to the top for about 6 years so thanks guys! Great views of Egyptian over head and also first Hobby of the year for me...

 

[rosbifs]

pp does look quite long for me

any chest throat pics?

 

[dragnil]

Only this,



or did you mean the chiffy?