Odd Wheatear on Paphos last week? (1 Viewer)

[KenM]

Came across this bird at the Architectural Ruin on the headland, it did look odd…ie being particularly dark, more so than ye’r average female/imm type Eastern Black-eared Wheatear.
As far as the images are concerned, it was unfortunate that I was always following it into the sun.
That said, above the seemingly all dark tail there was a band of grey, which I thought odd, also the flanks had a “rusty” wash seemingly at odds to EBEW, further, I noted the pp seemed long, which would be a better fit for the default EBEW and rule out anything of an Eastern promise that I’m aware of?

Cheers

 

[Andy Adcock]

I'm struggling with this but I can't get past 1st W Cyprus Pied?

 

[KenM]

I'm struggling with this but I can't get past 1st W Cyprus Pied?

I would think that you would be better placed than most, to have the necessary exposure to the variable plumages of Cyp.Pied Andy.

Many thanks👍

 

[Butty]

This is what winter pied wheatears look like across the Middle East: dull, dark and uniform upperparts, and perched up.

 

[Andy Adcock]

I would think that you would be better placed than most, to have the necessary exposure to the variable plumages of Cyp.Pied Andy.

Many thanks👍

First time I've seen this plumage, I'd have expected them all to have moulted before migrating?

 

[lou salomon]

probably Pied over Cyprus on long primary projection.

 

[PYRTLE]

probably Pied over Cyprus on long primary projection.

That's what I considered after Butty's comment but is the undertail pattern ( image 5 ) conclusive? Timing is about right although getting late.

 

[lou salomon]

That's what I considered after Butty's comment but is the undertail pattern ( image 5 ) conclusive? Timing is about right although getting late.

Closed tails in most wheatears appear completely black, a common pitfall. Just have a look at pics with males, you can see black tails both from above and below.

 

[Andy Adcock]

Closed tails in most wheatears appear completely black, a common pitfall. Just have a look at pics with males, you can see black tails both from above and below.

In at least one shot, you can see the white, outer edge to the outermost, tail feather.

I did wonder about Pied but opted for the most common.

 

[Jane cyprus]

For me this is a female Finsch's Wheatear. They are the only ones that are this dark. Both female Black-eared and female Pied would be less dark and the former certainly would appear more brown. It is not a Cyprus Wheatear. I've also checked the photos of female Finsch's in Svensson and Shirihai, this bird is almost identical to them.

 

[Butty]

Finsch's Wheatear

The primaries are too long. In my opinion.

 

[KenM]

The primaries are too long. In my opinion.

That might be subjective, as looking on line the images appear to perhaps look a touch longer than they do in the Collins illustrations.
I note that the images of Finsch’s on line look extremely compelling to my eye, apart from the bird being “very dark” also showing rusty flanks, don’t know if that might be an exclusive feature of Finsch’s amongst others.

 

[Andy Adcock]

That might be subjective, as looking on line the images appear to perhaps look a touch longer than they do in the Collins illustrations.
I note that the images of Finsch’s on line look extremely compelling to my eye, apart from the bird being “very dark” also showing rusty flanks, don’t know if that might be an exclusive feature of Finsch’s amongst others.

Did it exhibit any 'bowing' or tail cocking as described in Helm?

 

[Jane cyprus]

For context Pied would be the rare option for Cyprus with only three accepted records. Cyprus is very common obviously but the photos do not fit that species. Finschs is a localised winter visitor and scarce passage migrant. For me these photos show a female Finschs.

 

[KenM]

Did it exhibit any 'bowing' or tail cocking as described in Helm?

I think? I can recall it tail cocking on occasion but I can’t swear to it! 😩

 

[lou salomon]

actually Jane is right, I guess. I didn't look properly earlier. It's too grey on mantle, wing flash, peachy wash to cheeks, pp is ok for Finsch's.

 

[Andy Adcock]

actually Jane is right, I guess. I didn't look properly earlier. It's too grey on mantle, wing flash, peachy wash to cheeks, pp is ok for Finsch's.

The grey back was the first thing I commented on to Ken pers com, Finsch's was never in my consciousness!

 

[PYRTLE]

Don't disagree with Jane, moreso as her football team is currently mauling mine in North London.

 

[kuzeycem]

It might be the quality of the photos but this doesn't strike me as Finsch's. As already mentioned the pp looks too long and the tail band apparently gets broader at either side.

 

[KenM]

It might be the quality of the photos but this doesn't strike me as Finsch's. As already mentioned the pp looks too long and the tail band apparently gets broader at either side.

So what is your alternative?