Help with a Phylloscopus warbler in Nepal (1 Viewer)

[Lerxst]

Hello:

Attached are two non-nominal pictures of a warbler seen in the foothills outside of Kathmandu.

Our local guide believes that this bird is a Buff-barred Warbler. There are several field marks that would seem to agree with this; however I am still bothered by the "non-buffiness" of the wing bar.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[Andy Adcock]

I'd go for Ashy-throated I think, note the wide wing bar



A

 

[Rotherbirder]

Reguloides perhaps? The images are far from ideal to assess much in the way of bill size/length and it's head markings, but an orange lower mandible is quite apparent here; does this rule out Ashy-throated?

RB

 

[Andy Adcock]

[I]Reguloides[/I] perhaps? The images are far from ideal to assess much in the way of bill size/length and it's head markings, but an orange lower mandible is quite apparent here; does this rule out Ashy-throated?

RB

Not with such a grey throat surely?

Super is also whiteish rather than yellow.



A

 

[Grahame Walbridge]

Reguloides perhaps? The images are far from ideal to assess much in the way of bill size/length and it's head markings, but an orange lower mandible is quite apparent here; does this rule out Ashy-throated?

RB

The images aren't great but I would concur likely nominate Blyth's Leaf. And yes the complete pinky-orange lower mandible excludes Ashy-throated which has a tiny, all dark bill.

Grahame

 

[Andy Adcock]

The images aren't great but I would concur likely nominate Blyth's Leaf. And yes the complete pinky-orange lower mandible excludes Ashy-throated which has a tiny, all dark bill.

Grahame

Another field guide to throw away then.




A

 

[Grahame Walbridge]

Not with such a grey throat surely?

Super is also whiteish rather than yellow.



A

I hear what you are saying Andy, but really the images are very poor quality and I wouldn't put much faith in the plumage tones as they appear. However, there is little doubt the lower mandible is completely pinky-orange, a feature which is strongly suggestive of Blyth's Leaf, though not 100% certain in this instance.

I think we are in agreement its not a Buff-barred Warbler.

Grahame

 

[Werzik]

I think I see white rump in the first pic, so I would go with Lemon-rumped Warbler here.

 

[Grahame Walbridge]

I think I see white rump in the first pic, so I would go with Lemon-rumped Warbler here.

I am not seeing this..the rump should appear obviously paler from this angle. In any case, simlaensis shows at best a restricted orange-yellow base to the lower mandible which is clearly at odds with the 2nd image http://orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?Bird_Image_ID=103475&Bird_ID=1835&Bird_Family_ID=&Location= Given the wide range of views probably best left unidentified!

Grahame

 

[Lerxst]

Thanks for the comments everyone. I am leaving it as unidentified.

 

[Werzik]

I am not seeing this..the rump should appear obviously paler from this angle. In any case, simlaensis shows at best a restricted orange-yellow base to the lower mandible which is clearly at odds with the 2nd image http://orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?Bird_Image_ID=103475&Bird_ID=1835&Bird_Family_ID=&Location= Given the wide range of views probably best left unidentified!

Grahame

Grahame, I find that some Lemon-rumped can show totally yellow (or at least almost) on lower mandible e.g. http://orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?Bird_ID=1835&Bird_Image_ID=63897&Bird_Family_ID=, http://orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?Bird_ID=1835&Bird_Image_ID=52391&Bird_Family_ID=. I was bugged by the white that appears on the back in #1 but not sure if that is a part of twig or individual's rump.

 

[Grahame Walbridge]

Grahame, I find that some Lemon-rumped can show totally yellow (or at least almost) on lower mandible e.g. http://orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?Bird_ID=1835&Bird_Image_ID=63897&Bird_Family_ID=, http://orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?Bird_ID=1835&Bird_Image_ID=52391&Bird_Family_ID=. I was bugged by the white that appears on the back in #1 but not sure if that is a part of twig or individual's rump.

Except that your 1st image shows a freshly fledged juvenile which is clear from the date, very fresh plumage and pale fleshy legs while the 2nd is a Sichuan Leaf Warbler.

The pale rump should be clearly visible in the 1st OP image http://orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?Bird_Image_ID=106527&Bird_ID=1835&Bird_Family_ID=&Location=

Grahame

 

[Werzik]

Except that your 1st image shows a freshly fledged juvenile which is clear from the date, very fresh plumage and pale fleshy legs while the 2nd is a Sichuan Leaf Warbler.

The pale rump should be clearly visible in the 1st OP image http://orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?Bird_Image_ID=106527&Bird_ID=1835&Bird_Family_ID=&Location=

Grahame

Thank you, it seems like forresti is considered to be seperated species by now. I'm convinced that this is not Lemon-rumped Warbler. The bright orange on the lower mandible is indeed pointing towards P. reguloides like Grahame and Rother have suggested. But if you think this one should better leave it as unidentifiable, which species that could be another potential candidate in that area?

 

[Rotherbirder]

Thank you, it seems like forresti is considered to be seperated species by now. I'm convinced that this is not Lemon-rumped Warbler. The bright orange on the lower mandible is indeed pointing towards P. reguloides like Grahame and Rother have suggested. But if you think this one should better leave it as unidentifiable, which species that could be another potential candidate in that area?

I agree; best left as Phylloscopus sp.

RB