PhilSteiner
Well-known member
These photos were taken today in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Habitat is good for Siberian Stonechat, but this bird is very sandy overall for that. Desert Wheatear is another possibility...the notched tail and apparent light fringing around the tail lead me to think Stonechat, although the light fringing may just be because it's backlit. I haven't found any photos in Macaulay Library that have made me say, "Aha! That's a great match!" The lack of contrast on the cap and scapulars, and lack of any white panel on the wing leads me towards Desert Wheatear. The guy who saw the bird said it was about the size of a Lesser Whitethroat, which would also indicate Stonechat, as well as its propensity to perch high in bushes/on thistles with forays to the ground. Any help appreciated, as well as aging this bird...I believe whichever it is, it's a male. But whether it's in eclipse plumage or it's a young bird, I'm not sure.
