Wheatear SE Tbilisi (1 Viewer)

[BikeandBird]

Hi all,

I saw the attached wheatear SE of Tbilisi right at the border with Azerbeijan about a week ago. I always struggle with wheatears when they are not adult males in breeding plumage... (gonna have an interesting time in Iran soon
Can you help me with this one? My best guess was Black-eared.

Thanks in advance,

Leo

 

[KenM]

Looks ok to me Leo.

Cheers

 

[Brian J Small]

I'd be sorely tempted to identify this as a PiedxEastern Black-eared hybrid.

The black bridging across to the scaps from the throat suggests some Pied influence to me. This region is a well-known area for hybrids.

Brian

 

[Muppit17]

I'd be sorely tempted to identify this as a PiedxEastern Black-eared hybrid.

The black bridging across to the scaps from the throat suggests some Pied influence to me. This region is a well-known area for hybrids.

Brian

I agree entirely. Looks like more typical of Pied. Without seeing the tail pattern, I don't think that it is clear if there is any EBE at all. Juvs of Pied can look very buffy.almost exactly as per the OP

I agree with your point on hybrids. For example, Chachuna has hybrids, especially of FinschsxPied, although I don't recall seeing any EBE hybrids when I was there.

 

[Brian J Small]

I agree entirely. Looks like more typical of Pied. Without seeing the tail pattern, I don't think that it is clear if there is any EBE at all. Juvs of Pied can look very buffy.almost exactly as per the OP

I agree with your point on hybrids. For example, Chachuna has hybrids, especially of FinschsxPied, although I don't recall seeing any EBE hybrids when I was there.

I am unaware of a Finsch's x Pied hybrid. This is a Pied x Eastern Black-eared.

Brian

 

[Muppit17]

I am unaware of a Finsch's x Pied hybrid. This is a Pied x Eastern Black-eared.

Brian

Sorry Brian, I understand that you are proposing this as a EBExPied.

I only had two points,

I have seen assumed pure Pied looking like this, and only by looking at all the plumage features could separation be settled on. (Can't see some in photos eg Tail)

There are, as you said, plenty of hybrids in the area. Didn't see any except supposed FxP myself

 

[BikeandBird]

Thanks for the input. I understand why this is not EBE. What makes it a hybrid rather than pure Pied?