China ID Puzzlers (1 Viewer)

[thrush]

Very likely sparrowpox due to Avipoxvirus passeri.

In that case, it's not a tumor, but a wart. Thanks, stonechat1.

 

[thrush]

Qinghai Puzzlers

Here are three puzzlers from the Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai. Can you help me nail the ID? Again, I have ideas, but I don't want to prejudice anybody. Thanks!

1: Photographed on Mt. Kǎndá (坎达山 [Kǎndá Shān]), near Nángqiān (囊谦), southern Qinghai, near border with Tibet. Elev. 4700 m. 28 July 2013.

2, 2a: Photographed on road north of Bayan Har Pass (巴颜喀拉山口 [Bāyán Kālā Shānkǒu]). Elev. here about 4300 m. 29 July 2013.

3. Photographed at Huāshíxiá (花石峡), near Mǎduō (玛多). Elev. 4230 m. 28 July 2013.

 

[Larry Sweetland]

reminded of Hume's Short-toed Lark for middle two, but just a guess

 

[thrush]

reminded of Hume's Short-toed Lark for middle two, but just a guess

Thank you, Larry!

 

[thrush]

Leaf Warblers I

Photos taken between 14:56 and 14:58 on 10 Feb. 2014 at Baihualing, Gaoligongshan, Yunnan. Elev.: 1690 m. Photos CEB_2050 through CEB_2091 are definitely of the same bird, and I'm almost certain that CEB_2110 is the same bird as in CEB_2050 through CEB_2091. Photos CEB_2099 through CEB_2106 are also of the same bird. There were no vocalizations that I can remember; certainly I didn't record any. I'm thinking that the bird or birds pictured here are P. forresti, P. kansuensis, or P. chloronotus. Knowledge of the wintering range of these three species would perhaps aid us in an identification, but in my research, I've found only scanty information on where these species winter. What, in your opinion, is the species of the birds shown here? Thank you! To this post, CEB_2050 through CEB_2099 attached. See below for remaining photos.

 

[thrush]

Leaf Warblers II

Here are the remaining shots of the birds discussed in the pane above.

 

[MrBiffa]

Pallas's warbler

 

[rockfowl]

Lovely pictures Craig!

A very tricky trio but my general feeling is that this is P. forresti but I have very limited knowledge or experience of kansuensis. I'll ask James Eaton amongst others to have a look.

 

[thrush]

Lovely pictures Craig!

A very tricky trio but my general feeling is that this is P. forresti but I have very limited knowledge or experience of kansuensis. I'll ask James Eaton amongst others to have a look.

Thanks for taking a look, Mark.

My situation is exactly like yours. From the moment I saw the bird, my impression was forresti. But kansuensis can't be ruled out, not yet.

Another expert to whom I emailed the photos shown here, and who apparently hasn't seen this thread, has said that he thinks the photos are of forresti.

Would like to hear more opinions!

 

[thrush]

Pallas's warbler

Thanks for taking a stab.

Pallas's Leaf Warbler Complex? Undoubtedly.

P. proregulus? Hmmm . . . let me ask some more people.

Are you saying all the photos show P. proregulus, or that only some show that species?

 

[thrush]

Another vote for forresti has come in. Come on, don't be shy; what's your opinion?

 

[Larry Sweetland]

what features are to look at here guys? And for ruling out Pallas's, Emei and Chinese too?? :eek!:

 

[thrush]

what features are to look at here guys? And for ruling out Pallas's, Emei and Chinese too?? :eek!:

Thanks for your question! P. emeiensis would have some white in the outer rectrices. P. yunnanensis has a paler brownish-black eye-stripe that generally lacks the "hook" at the rear, being instead square-ended.

Another commenter, not on this forum, said he thinks 2099 and 2100 (last photo in Pane 45 and first photo in Pane 46) may actually show a P. proregulus.

 

[rockfowl]

I personally don't see a proregulus here, and surely they are of the same bird... bare part colouration and overall tones.

Larry, Chinese can be pretty much ruled out on the coronal stripe which really starts from the centre of the crown and ends in a white block on the nape. Rump is usually smaller and a dull off white.

 

[MrBiffa]

After looking at the Sichuan leaf warbler yeah, the supercillium is less vivd so now leaning towards that, I'm not that experienced though only 13, so need some more training in the "business", not overly good at the warblers as you might expect, they are rather difficult!

 

[xuky.summer]

Here are some kansuensis shooting in Qinghai province, I vote for forresti
http://www.birdnet.cn/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=677446&highlight=

 

[thrush]

Leaf Warblers in the Desert

I'd like some independent perspectives on the ID of these leaf warblers. Will you please take a stab?

Relevant info:

Place: S of Sùběi (肃北), Gansu, China (Qilian Mountains). 39 degrees N, 94 degrees E. Elev.: 2520 m.

Conditions at site: Obviously dry year-round. Thin scrub. Few or no tall trees. No running water seen. Dry washes seen.

Time photo taken: This month (July 2014)

Photos show: adult (parent) and juvenile (offspring)

My partners and I will reveal our theories after we've heard yours. We don't want to prejudice you. Thank you for your help.

 

[rockfowl]

Alpine Leaf Warbler

 

[thrush]

Alpine Leaf Warbler

Thanks, rockfowl. I was mistaken. The photos above show two juveniles. Where was mother? I'm sure we only saw two birds, and one seemed to be begging off the other.

ADDENDUM: Jan-Erik Nilsen, my partner, has just informed me that he saw three birds, one an adult. It's possible that I was so much focused on getting photographs that I missed the adult or forgot that I'd seen an adult. I think we can go with Jan-Erik's assertion that three birds were present.

 

[rockfowl]

I'm guessing that's what you thought they were Craig?