Warbler ID (Melodious/Icterine Warbler), Tuscany, July 2011 (1 Viewer)

[BrockwellBee]

I am having trouble identifying this bird. It was seen briefly at the top of a pine tree. I gather that is is either a Melodious of an Icterine Warbler (possibly a Willow Warbler). However, I have yet to pinpoint which. Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[The_Partridge]

I'd go along with Jane's comment on the original thread

looks like a phyllosc to me

gut feeling is Willow Warbler

 

[phil baber]

That subtle yellow suffusion to the throat? Thick, heavy neck? Bill? Major flat sloping forehead thingy? Profile in pic 2?
Unfortunately, a photo from the front only. But, on location, and date?
I'll leave you to make your own mind up people.
I'm not saying what it is. Or what it is not. But here's a nice bird from the nets in Dorset, England. Yesterday.

http://www.portlandbirdobs.org.uk/aa_latestnews.htm

 

[Jane Turner]

Here are the heads side by side - I still see a Phyllosc crown shape, but the photos are not ideal

Circumstantially, I'm not sure I've ever seen Hippo perch on the top of a tree - especially a pine tree! Its quite expected for e.g. Bonellis Warbler

 

[snowcap]

Willow Warbler for me.

 

[nickderry]

not sure the picture shows enough for a certain ID, I see a hippo, if I read the photo correctly (large obvious eye, pale lores, long bill) but I wouldn't bet on it. Here where Melodious warbler is a common breeder they often do perch on top of trees, especially to sing, in fact, when they're in song they're probably easier to see than any other warbler here!

 

[BrockwellBee]

Mmm...I only saw it briefly, very early in the morning, I did not hear it sing but it seemed to be feeding in that tree or in the smaller trees below. FYI this is what a local said on another forum which is quiet interesting:

"As far as I can see from the photos, it is a Melodious Warbler. It is locally very common in Tuscany, especially on Chianti, around Volterra and in Maremma areas).
Icterine Warbler is only a migrant (usually in May - but common only on the small islands off the coast, much rare inland - and, more scarcely, in September/October), as also Willow Warbler (April and September/October)."

I have brightened the photos (below) if that makes thing any easier.

 

[chris butterworth]

Willow Warbler. The base of the bill isn't really wide enough for either Icky or Melodius, the head ( crown ) shape doesn't seem angular enough - although that is variable depending on the positionof the feathers - and the extent of the yellow supercillium is more like a Phyllosop than a Hippo.

Chris

 

[The_Partridge]

I'll leave you to make your own mind up people.

wise words indeed, except you then went on to try to brainwash people through suggestive means by posting a photo of a Melodious Warbler

:t:

a dirty trick, Phil, and one I will not lower myself to matching by suggesting that seeing a Melodious Warbler on top of a pine tree would be so incongruous as to be akin to seeing a Cory's Shearwater on my nyger feeder

 

[phil baber]

wise words indeed, except you then went on to try to brainwash people through suggestive means by posting a photo of a Melodious Warbler

:t:

a dirty trick, Phil, and one I will not lower myself to matching by suggesting that seeing a Melodious Warbler on top of a pine tree would be so incongruous as to be akin to seeing a Cory's Shearwater on my nyger feeder

Have you not read Derren Brown's books???:eek!:

 

[Jane Turner]

Mmm...I only saw it briefly, very early in the morning, I did not hear it sing but it seemed to be feeding in that tree or in the smaller trees below.

How was is feeding - lumbering about like a Melodious or dashing about and flycatching like a Phyllosc? And how was it in flight - Melodious look short winged, barely airworthy and like a just fledged chick.

 

[BrockwellBee]

To be honest Jane, It was only a brief glimpse but it did not seem to be flycatching, it was hidden in the trees and undergrowth for a lot of the time and very shy (if that gives anything away?). This may be a case of not being able to exactly identify it.

 

[DEREK CHARLES]

I'm not sure I've ever seen Hippo perch on the top of a tree - especially a pine tree!

Hi Jane
i have seen Icterines sitting singing from tops of Pine Trees in Poland but never seen a Melodious doing it in Spain. With this bird im in Phyllosc / hippo camp! (because basically i have no idea!)

d

 

[phil baber]

IMO it is a Melodious Warbler.