request advice re: warbler sp , Durankulak, Bulgaria Sept 2019 (1 Viewer)

[Earnest lad]

I have posted this bird once before but I would like to enquire again if possible please: I apologize for the poor quality photos.
I see that it is a phylloscopus (I think) but cannot work out which are the possible candidates. Perhaps by process of elimination it can be identified.
I see the legs are pale, which rules out Chiffchaff. The ear coverts seem to have the "hollow" appearance said to be a feature of Willow Warbler.
There seems to a wing-bar. Mind you it could be an artifact I suppose.
There seems also to be a lower mandible pale with upper mandible darker. Having said that , I guess that could be an illusion too.
I would be grateful for any thoughts please. My thoughts would be as regards most likely species (a) willow warbler (although I don't know if that is a common bird in that region that time of year)
(b) Wood warbler (although I am not knowledgeable about wood warblers) (c) some other species. Please does anyone have any thoughts as to possibilities

 

[Butty]

I have posted this bird once before

Could you give the link to the previous posting so that we can see what has been said about it already? Thanks.

 

[Earnest lad]

Could you give the link to the previous posting so that we can see what has been said about it already? Thanks.

Of course:

Willow Warbler or Chiffchaff Bulgaria again

Dear colleagues Please can anyone advise as to this one also. (two views of the same bird) I read that pale legs is diagnostic for Willow Warbler, but there is no lateral view again to confirm on primary projection. Also I am confused because I read the supercillium for Willow warbler is...

www.birdforum.net

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello Earnest,
I agree with you its either a Chiffchaff, a Willlow or a Wood Warbler. And I agree with Jean Francois, it look like a Willow Warbler.
I dont see any wingbar, just paler,uniform greater coverts contrasting with darker wings. More, greenish/yellowish primaries (? hard to judge due to overexposure) form some kind of a panel. This is present in some Phylloscopus, and most appearent in many Bonellis Warbler.
Adding to the the features, you have mentioned allready, its quite rare (at least) for a Chiffchaff in autumn to lack any eye-ring like your bird (there is a slight lower one, good for Willow).
Yes, pp is very difficult to judge, but I think it is rather long, at least 50% so just within variation for the longest winged Chiffchaff, but better for a Willow Warbler.
The hollow ear-coverts seems to present, but are exagerrated by the overexposure. This is also the reason for the whitish parts in the supercilium and ear-coverts, burned out parts.

 

[Earnest lad]

Hello Earnest,
I agree with you its either a Chiffchaff, a Willlow or a Wood Warbler. And I agree with Jean Francois, it look like a Willow Warbler.
I dont see any wingbar, just paler,uniform greater coverts contrasting with darker wings. More, greenish/yellowish primaries (? hard to judge due to overexposure) form some kind of a panel. This is present in some Phylloscopus, and most appearent in many Bonellis Warbler.
Adding to the the features, you have mentioned allready, its quite rare (at least) for a Chiffchaff in autumn to lack any eye-ring like your bird (there is a slight lower one, good for Willow).
Yes, pp is very difficult to judge, but I think it is rather long, at least 50% so just within variation for the longest winged Chiffchaff, but better for a Willow Warbler.
The hollow ear-coverts seems to present, but are exagerrated by the overexposure. This is also the reason for the whitish parts in the supercilium and ear-coverts, burned out parts.

Thank you so much Alexander. Although not overly knowledgeable about these things, I did consider the possibility of Bonelli's given the greenish primaries and the somewhat "stocky" appearance (the latter seems to fit more Bonelli's then Willow Warbler which, one reads, is of longer body) . I have never seen a Bonelli's Warbler but looking at images on google, my bird seems too green in overall colour. It wouldve been great to have it as Bonelli's Warbler but on this occasion, I think I will put it down as unidentified with the most likely candidate being Willow Warbler

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello Earnest,
sorry, than my post came out the wrong way: for me, its a Willow Warbler, that can be identified with confidence. Chiffchaff, Bonellis Warbler (EBW here, I assume) and Wood Warbler can be ruled out.
But: please wait, its still early in the morning (at least in Germany). Better wait for others to jump in.

 

[Earnest lad]

Hello Earnest,
sorry, than my post came out the wrong way: for me, its a Willow Warbler, that can be identified with confidence. Chiffchaff, Bonellis Warbler (EBW here, I assume) and Wood Warbler can be ruled out.
But: please wait, its still early in the morning (at least in Germany). Better wait for others to jump in.

LOL I do appreciate the clarification. I am putting down as Willow Warbler because the points you made make sense to me. Thank you