hannu said:
Thanx Alsirhan !
Few pics from Spain:
Western Olivaceous Warbler - (Hippolais opaca)
http://www.netfugl.dk/pictures/birds_uploaded/6426_Spain_BlegGulbug_2005May22_03.jpg
http://www.netfugl.dk/pictures/birds_uploaded/6425_Spain_BlegGulbug_2005May22_02.jpg
http://www.netfugl.dk/pictures/birds_uploaded/6424_Spain_BlegGulbug_2005May22_01.jpg
First of all, we have to check in which areas these two subspecies really wintering !
If we compare measurements of 3 species (Blyth's RW, Marsh W and Eastern Olivaceous W), the longest wing is Marsh W (68-76mm), the second EOW (62-71mm) and shortest Blyth's (58-65mm). Both EOW (15,0-17,4mm) and Blyth's (15,3-17,6) seems to be longest bill and Marsh W have slightly shortest (14,3-17,2). Wing formula is quite similar both EOW and Blyth's. There is also other differences, e.g the lenght of 1P and the amount of primaries, where are notches and emarginations.
Thank for the quick reply Hannu. It appears from literature (BWP) that the race in Kuwait is either pallida or elaeica.
The status of Upcher's W. in Kuwait (BMAPT report 2004): Common passage migrant.
Upcher's W. From BWP:
migrants noted late August in Iraq (Sage 1960) and September in Baluchistan (southern Pakistan) (Ali and Ripley 1973a); large-scale passage reported late September in Seistan (eastern Iran) (Dementiev and Gladkov 1954b). Occurs chiefly August to early October in Gulf states; further south.
The status of Eastern Olivaceous Warbler in Kuwait (BMAPT report 2004): Very common passage migrant. Common summer visitor. Rare winter visitor. Breeds.
Eastern Olivaceous Warbler from BWP:
Elaeica: Probably overwinters in small numbers in Arabia, with records, e.g. in North Yemen and Gulf states (Brooks et al. 1987; F E Warr). One January record from south-west Turkey (Vittery et al. 1972).
Leaves Iraq August to early September (Moore and Boswell 1956; Marchant 1961, Marchant 1962). Regular both seasons at Azraq (Jordan) (Clarke 1980; Wallace 1982). Common and widespread in Arabia east to Masirah island off Oman, especially in autumn, with protracted passage July–November, chiefly August–September (Jennings 1981; Stagg 1985; Brooks et al. 1987; Rogers 1988; F E Warr). Recently-established breeding population in Riyadh (this race or nominate pallida) leaves mid- to late October, returning early February (Stagg 1987).
In Arabia, passage mostly from mid-March, peaking April in North Yemen (Bundy and Warr 1980; Brooks et al. 1987; Bahrain population (this race or nominate pallida) arrives 1st week of April (Gallagher and Rogers 1978). At Azraq, variation in size and colour of spring birds (Wallace 1982) suggests different populations may be involved.
Bill measurement for comparison from BWP:
Upcher's W. Bill-s (from tip to skull):
16.9-18.8 male, 16.7-18.6 female.
EOW. Bill-s (from tip to skull):
H. pallida 15.2-16.8
H. opaca 17.6-18.7 male, 17.2-18.5 female birds from Morocco
H. opaca 17.8-18.9 male, 17.8-19.0 female birds from Spain
H. elaeica 16.3-17.6 male, 16.4-17.7 female, birds from Balkan countries to Crete and western Turkey.
H. elaeica 16.0-17.6 male, 16.0-17.0 female, birds from central Anatolia and Taurus (Turkey).
H. elaeica 15.6-16.7 male, 15.7-16.2 female, birds from Levant and south-east Turkey to south-west Iran.
H. elaeica 15.6-16.5 male, birds from Turkmeniya to Uzbekistan (USSR)
Alsirhan