Morocco Misc Passerines (1 Viewer)

[rylirk]

A few more to round out my bird queries from my Morocco trip this week.

1. Taken at Ouarzazate. I assumed at the time this had to be Black Wheatear, but it looks like juvenile White-Crowned Wheatear can look very similar? Would you expect there to be any White-Crowned Wheatears without crowns still by October? Is there any other way to separate the species?
2. Menara Gardens, Marrakech. Terrible photo I know, but I'm thinking Plain Martin, which would also be one of the more likely species this time of year? I'm definitelty happy to rule out House Martin based on the photo (plus the overall drab greyish-brown appearance of the bird through bins), and I feel like there would be some evidence of the chinstrap in this photo if it was Sand Martin.
3. Tahnahout Valley. I'm thinking Crag Martin, but it also could just be that this isnt IDable.

 

[Muppit17]

A few more to round out my bird queries from my Morocco trip this week.

1. Taken at Ouarzazate. I assumed at the time this had to be Black Wheatear, but it looks like juvenile White-Crowned Wheatear can look very similar? Would you expect there to be any White-Crowned Wheatears without crowns still by October? Is there any other way to separate the species?
2. Menara Gardens, Marrakech. Terrible photo I know, but I'm thinking Plain Martin, which would also be one of the more likely species this time of year? I'm definitelty happy to rule out House Martin based on the photo (plus the overall drab greyish-brown appearance of the bird through bins), and I feel like there would be some evidence of the chinstrap in this photo if it was Sand Martin.
3. Tahnahout Valley. I'm thinking Crag Martin, but it also could just be that this isnt IDable.

1. Looks like WC Wheatear, and that is the species I would expect in Ouarzazate. Black crowns are not limited to juvs, and some adults will show black crowns. These are usually females but sexing of adults is tricky. Black crowns are larger, look more robust and the plumage is glossy cf the dull blacks of Black Wheatear. Also they are separated by habitat & black is a higher elevation bird.

2. Photo not good enough. I am not sure what is 'real' and what is a photo artifact. Plain Martin is not normally found at Menara whilst all other hirundines are common on passage, so have to say unlikely.

3 Again could be Crag Martin, but no features readily discernible.

 

[rylirk]

1. Looks like WC Wheatear, and that is the species I would expect in Ouarzazate. Black crowns are not limited to juvs, and some adults will show black crowns. These are usually females but sexing of adults is tricky. Black crowns are larger, look more robust and the plumage is glossy cf the dull blacks of Black Wheatear. Also they are separated by habitat & black is a higher elevation bird.

I guess the behaviour also points more to white-crowned; from what I've read Black can be a fair bit shyer, whereas this was just sat up on the Ouarzazate kasbah.

2. Photo not good enough. I am not sure what is 'real' and what is a photo artifact. Plain Martin is not normally found at Menara whilst all other hirundines are common on passage, so have to say unlikely.

If Plain is unlikely on site I'll probably play safer and call it a Sand Martin then; like I said, from bins view I am more than happy to rule out House Martin and Barn Swallow, and I don't think any other hirundines are really candidates for here?

3 Again could be Crag Martin, but no features readily discernible.

I think my provisional ID for this one was based at least a bit on habitat; there was quite a few of them swirling about in a rocky and steep part of the valley. I've tried messing with the brightness settings but I really can't bring out much detail here... which I guess would be expected if this was crag martin, but I will play safer for now and leave un-IDd.

Thanks!

 

[Muppit17]

I guess the behaviour also points more to white-crowned; from what I've read Black can be a fair bit shyer, whereas this was just sat up on the Ouarzazate kasbah.


If Plain is unlikely on site I'll probably play safer and call it a Sand Martin then; like I said, from bins view I am more than happy to rule out House Martin and Barn Swallow, and I don't think any other hirundines are really candidates for here?


I think my provisional ID for this one was based at least a bit on habitat; there was quite a few of them swirling about in a rocky and steep part of the valley. I've tried messing with the brightness settings but I really can't bring out much detail here... which I guess would be expected if this was crag martin, but I will play safer for now and leave un-IDd.

Thanks!

Returning to 3. The structure of the bird matches Crag Martin so is the best match but agree leave it unIDd.

For Plain Martin, they are smaller and have a very different flight action, so relatively easy to pick out in a mixed flock. All of this is lost with a photo of course. As a species, really only likely along the N'fis river line around Marrakech but generally simpler to find along the coast in Morocco

 

[rollingthunder]

I had feeding Plain Martins at that hilltop fort just outside Marrakech city centre. Just out of interest I had a word with Patrick Bergier and he said it would not be unexpected and they might even breed as it was November. I saw plenty more at Essouria down at the Oued Ksob. I saw lots of WcBW around Ouzarzate and Ait Ben Hadu. I don't recall BW but did see them up at the Todra Gorge which is a higher elevation and rocky. All on foot btw no car. Whilst at Ouzarzate I would reccomend the film museum. It is full of old cinema artefacts and is being added to all the time due to Maroc's popularity as a film set.

Haven't visited for 6 years after bashing it twice annually but am returning for 9 nights, 3 Marrakech and 6 at Ess, third week of November.

With regard to the Wheatear ID my advice would be to get tail shots in flight.

Good birding -

Laurie -