red-tailed or red-rumped wheatear at Luxor December 2012? (1 Viewer)

[biking birder 2010]

Back in December I put a bird report onto birdforum detailing a trip to Luxor. I put in that report that I was unsure as to the identification of a wheatear seen near to the Valley of the Nobles.

I've attached a photo of the bird and would love to know what you think.

email me at

[email protected] or post here. Thanks.:t:

 

[Waxwings]

I believe this is Oenanthe xanthoprymna - Kurdish Wheatear (although sometimes, confusingly, called Red-rumped).

I think it can be distinguished from O. moesta by narrow supercilium, absence of white fringes on wing coverts and more extensive rufous vent.

 

[biking birder 2010]

I believe this is Oenanthe xanthoprymna - Kurdish Wheatear (although sometimes, confusingly, called Red-rumped).

I think it can be distinguished from O. moesta by narrow supercilium, absence of white fringes on wing coverts and more extensive rufous vent.

Thanks Waxwings. This bird is fascinating. I'm enjoying the conundrum . One of the pleasures of birding. ATB:t:

 

[Parker]

I believe this is Oenanthe xanthoprymna - Kurdish Wheatear (although sometimes, confusingly, called Red-rumped).

I think it can be distinguished from O. moesta by narrow supercilium, absence of white fringes on wing coverts and more extensive rufous vent.

Yes it's a Kurdish Wheatear, male, but it used to be called Red Tailed not Red Rumped which is a different species.

 

[Waxwings]

Yes it's a Kurdish Wheatear, male, but it used to be called Red Tailed not Red Rumped which is a different species.

The name Red-rumped has also been used for xanthoprymna, most recently in the 3rd edition of Howard and Moore:

http://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/species.jsp?avibaseid=FB7193205A928668

 

[chris butterworth]

Because of the harsh light it's difficult to tell but although there appears to be a white base to the outer tail feathers, which would be right for Kurdish but the supercillium looks quite broad and meets over the forehead. It also looks like it runs down behind the ear coverts for quite a way. The greater wing coverts, at least, have rather bold white tips (whether this continues as a white margin I can't tell ) and there is a pale panel on the secondaries. The crown also appears to be much lighter than the back, but, yet again, this could be down to harsh light. Red-rumped IMO. Oe. modesta

Chris

 

[njlarsen]

Because different taxa have been given the name red-rumped, red-tailed, etc by different authorities, this is probably one of the situations where including the scientific name for every opinion would be wise

Niels

 

[walshey]

BWP has Red-rumped limited to NW coastal strip of Egypt, with some Nile Valley records of Kurdish. Dont know if this fits with current thinking. Leaning towards Kurdish myself, doesn't look bulky enough for the other, although the wingbar doesn't fit my experience, I've only seen adults in summer plumage.
Did you see the tail?

 

[biking birder 2010]

BWP has Red-rumped limited to NW coastal strip of Egypt, with some Nile Valley records of Kurdish. Dont know if this fits with current thinking. Leaning towards Kurdish myself, doesn't look bulky enough for the other, although the wingbar doesn't fit my experience, I've only seen adults in summer plumage.
Did you see the tail?

Frustratingly as I photographed it a fox disturbed it and it flew over the outside temple wall where I could not relocate it. I had no views of the tail. I only wish I had as it would have answered my question over it's id'.

Thanks for replying everyone. ATB