Presumed Iberian Chiffchaff - UK (1 Viewer)

[Jane Turner]

At least until disproven by DNA

• Wide yellow fore super (bridging)
• moulted secondaries and outer primaries
• Yellow pectoral band
• white unstreaked central belly
• Dark legs, brown feet (boots) and orangy rears to the legs

 

[Jane Turner]

And a few in the hand photos - I didn't dare hold it long, it was out on its feet and showing stress signs. Before anyone worries, it was batting round the garden like a good 'un afterwards

https://twitter.com/x/status/1513511859869073413

 

[njlarsen]

I am definitely not the great expert on this but wanted to bring the thread back up to the top. It does fit the inner picture I have of these, but I have not seen one in about 30 years! All resources I check say the voice is more important than the plumage, but the contrast of yellow breast and whitish belly was mentioned.
Niels

 

[Jane Turner]

for added fun I caught what appears to be either a very odd Willow W or a Willow x Chiff today. It has the moult strategy of Common Chiff. Hugely worn tail contour feathers, tertials etc, rather short p2 and long p5/6 the latter with an emargination. Everything else is WW and in the field it would cause any alarm

 

[Jane Turner]

DNA sent off, fingers crossed

 

[la_ravachol]

Voice is very clearly different with Iberian Chiffchaff. Personally I daren't even attempt to do it by sight! Does it vocalise at all in the videos? I can only hear robin and house sparrow, but perhaps I'm missing it.

 

[Jane Turner]

Voice is very clearly different with Iberian Chiffchaff. Personally I daren't even attempt to do it by sight! Does it vocalise at all in the videos? I can only hear robin and house sparrow, but perhaps I'm missing it.

I have 5 hours of recording (peaked at 3 running in parallel) and so far 9 calls - this is the best just after it was released.

 

[la_ravachol]

I have 5 hours of recording (peaked at 3 running in parallel) and so far 9 calls - this is the best just after it was released. View attachment 1440867

Looks promising.

 

[Brian J Small]

To me the profile of that call sonogram just doesn't look quite right for Iberian Chiffchaff.

Brian

 

[KC Foggin]

It sure is good seeing you back on the Forum Jane

 

[Jane Turner]

To me the profile of that call sonogram just doesn't look quite right for Iberian Chiffchaff.

Brian

Its a near-identical; match for "plastic calling" 2 cal bird I recorded about 4 hours of (and discussed with Magnus Robb), but yes I agree its not ideal. That bird changed shape and frequency all the time eg

 

[Derbyfella]

DNA sent off, fingers crossed

How long before it returns?

 

[Jane Turner]

How long before it returns?

no idea sorry