Ortolan or Grey-necked Bunting from Northern Pakistan (1 Viewer)

[gilgit2]

As this discussion seems quite interesting, I am posting some additional images of the same birds. In image 1 you can see both birds, second one is in the background with tertails visible. Image 2 shows details of bird from the back. 3 and 4 are some additional images, but not sure which if they are the same bird or different individuals.

About the yellow staining on the face, it is possible that it might be due to vegetation. Around this time of the year most of the plants are have shed their seeds and these 2 were foraging on the ground.

 

[gilgit2]

Just adding a pic of a GNB (presumed 1cy) from India (september) by Pranjal Saikia with the long tail showing well.
By the way Gilgit2, if yiu have more images of Young Grey-necked to share, Don't hesitate, they might prove useful.

Yes I some images of the GNB from the very same location, mostly adults, as they look attractive. Here are some worn or immature birds. And yes I also wanted to mention that majority of the Grey-necked Buntings pass through this areas around mid 2 weeks of September. These were among the late ones at the start of October. Though we get one or two GNB even in November.

 

[JANJ]

Some thoughts here, notice Mick's and my comment below on tertial pattern:https://birdingfrontiers.wordpress.com/2010/09/09/ortolan-bunting/
An October bird from Germany. Notice the tertial pattern:https://www.club300.de/gallery/?gal=1&cat=0&mode=1&id=977

JanJ

 

[Tib78]

Yes I some images of the GNB from the very same location, mostly adults, as they look attractive. Here are some worn or immature birds. And yes I also wanted to mention that majority of the Grey-necked Buntings pass through this areas around mid 2 weeks of September. These were among the late ones at the start of October. Though we get one or two GNB even in November.

Thanks for the additional images, including for those nice GNB pics!

I’d say the new images of the 2 Ortolan candidates (just realized there were 2 of them) will remove all doubts and that they are, indeed, Ortolans.

 

[Brian J Small]

Hi Tip

Just come back to this, sorry. I am not sure it has removed all doubt for me, but I am swaying...



Brian