Warbler in north-eathern Turkey on 1st of September (1 Viewer)

[bubo_bubo]

The image of a wet warbler was shot at Cildir Lake in north-eathern Turkey near the border to Georgia in late summer. I did not remember the bird well. I am thinking of a young “normal” Chiffchall due to the whitish eyering, the black feet and the shape of the bill. But I cannot rule out other warbler species – esp. Caucasian Chiffchaff

Thanks for ID to the experts.

Cheers

Johannes

 

[KenM]

You couldn’t discount Caucasian Chiffchaff (sindianus/lorenzii) from this image, am wondering if the nominate race in that part of the world is one or the other?

Cheers

 

[bubo_bubo]

Unfortunately, "Birds of Turkey" by G. Kirwan et.al show question marks for that area & breeding is said up to 2.000 m asl. With the wet feathers it is really hard. superciliary stripe does not seem very obvious...
Cheers

 

[bubo_bubo]

2 days later, I had again a chiffchaff in almost the same area. does this bird look "brown enough" for Caucasian Chiffchaff? Depending on light, the fringes of the primaries look greenish. Thanks for clarification of ID to the experts.

Cheers
Johannes

 

[bubo_bubo]

here is another example of the same bird....

 

[KenM]

2 days later, I had again a chiffchaff in almost the same area. does this bird look "brown enough" for Caucasian Chiffchaff? Depending on light, the fringes of the primaries look greenish. Thanks for clarification of ID to the experts.

Cheers
Johannes

bubo, I think you’ll find (I certainly have) that the wing fringes are always to a greater or lesser extent greenish with all Chiffchaffs, some more green than others, which invariably is light dependant.
Your subject bird looks to me, as though it’s still drying off from bathing?
I wouldn’t like to comment on it’s racial type other than it’s probably a young bird and compared to adult Caucasian Chiffchaff it looks to my eye a “dull” individual.
FWIW I’ve not laid eyes on a Caucasian Chiffchaff thus wouldn’t have the expertise to comment any further.

Cheers

 

[bubo_bubo]

thanks for your honest reply. some birds still needs to be nailed to species level... Thanks again!