Raptor and corvid, Uzbekistan (4 Viewers)

[rylirk]

I think these are probably just familar species (common buzzard and carrion crow) but im not very familiar with the confusion species here (long legged buzzard, eastern buzzard, brown necked raven) to be sure. Taken yesterday and today in tashkent and khiva respectively

 

[Welsh Peregrine]

The Corvid certainly has a crow beak rather than a raven one.

 

[dwatsonbirder]

If you are able to upload the original photos that will help - appreciate that may not be possible at present. The buteo looks like Steppe, but difficult to be sure at present.

 

[rylirk]

The Corvid certainly has a crow beak rather than a raven one.

I thought the bill seemed a bit longer than youd expect from a carrion crow? Agreed its not very thick, but i believe bn raven has quite a thin bill for a raven? The corvid did call but im not sure thats of much help; it didnt sound like classic carrion crow but not too far off; the magpies here certainly sound different so i assume crows do too

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,

the Corvid looks like a Rook to me. I think I can detect the pale base to the bill. And general impression, including the rounded, slightly wedgeshaped tail seems better for a Rook than for a Carrion Crow.

And yes, can you upload the originals later, please?

 

[TheBlackGrouse]

Long wings and tail, high-contrast underwing, no tail banding (?), might be a Long-legged Buzzard. They may look similar to Steppe so it all depends on the proportions.

 

[rylirk]

I will upload the originals when possible... meanwhile i have another one to add to the list, with a better BOC photo! Looks like chiffchaff but 1: i dont know if they even have those here and 2: it is making a soft melodic subcall i have never heard chiffchaff make (and isnt making any of the traditional chiffchaff calls). Best match i can find is willow but im not seeing any yellow in this bird at all. 3 of them in khiva right now.

 

[lou salomon]

yes, we need the original pics to see if the tail band is really so contrasting. In LLB usually subdued or just a stronger orange, not dark and thin as in many vulpinus.

 

[Muppit17]

I will upload the originals when possible... meanwhile i have another one to add to the list, with a better BOC photo! Looks like chiffchaff but 1: i dont know if they even have those here and 2: it is making a soft melodic subcall i have never heard chiffchaff make (and isnt making any of the traditional chiffchaff calls). Best match i can find is willow but im not seeing any yellow in this bird at all. 3 of them in khiva right now.

I know from personal experience that some of the Chiffchaffs in Uzbekistan are very confusing and have considered a wide range of species/subspecies to find a match. I have even had local guides shrug their shoulders and say 'had them before & dont know'. Certainly I can advise to get as may pictures as possible and post the downloads. A recording of the calls/singing - even on a phone would be useful.

 

[rylirk]

I have quite a few photos of the bird i can post later. I did try to record the song but it was only songing very quietly and sparsely, and not at all when the other 2 appeared

 

[Muppit17]

Hello,

the Corvid looks like a Rook to me. I think I can detect the pale base to the bill. And general impression, including the rounded, slightly wedgeshaped tail seems better for a Rook than for a Carrion Crow.

And yes, can you upload the originals later, please?

Rook is a relatively plentiful species along the river valley agricultural areas in Uzbekistan. I too suspect it is a Rook

 

[rylirk]

Rook is a relatively plentiful species along the river valley agricultural areas in Uzbekistan. I too suspect it is a Rook

Rook is indeed VERY abundant here, the call is what threw me off of rook but i have heard the rooks here make all sorts of strange calls, i think rook sounds like a good id

 

[Muppit17]

I have quite a few photos of the bird i can post later. I did try to record the song but it was only songing very quietly and sparsely, and not at all when the other 2 appeared

You may like to look back on an earlier of my threads re Uzbekistan "

Chiffchaff sp - Kyzylkum desert, Uzbekistan 30 May 22"​

hopefully the link works

 

[rylirk]

As promised, here are some original photos of the buzzard sp. (both photos of the same bird in Tashkent). I ended up with quite a few warblers of note so will post the original chiffchaff photo alongside those

 

[dwatsonbirder]

As promised, here are some original photos of the buzzard sp. (both photos of the same bird in Tashkent). I ended up with quite a few warblers of note so will post the original chiffchaff photo alongside those

Looks fine for Steppe to me (compact + short winged, thin dark subterminal tail band) but best await confirmation from the raptor afficionados (Tom, Lou et al).

 

[lou salomon]

looks good for Steppe Buzzard.

 

[rylirk]

Just as a follow-up; here is the original for the corvid photo, and I am struggling to match it with rook? I agree the beak still looks small, but the underwing pattern looks good for brown-necked raven? Probably just reaching here but thought it'd be worth another check From Khiva

 

[lou salomon]

It is a rook as Alexander said.