Yellowhammer × Pine Bunting? (1 Viewer)

[Azan Khan]

Hi. I would like to request more insight on this interesting record from Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. It was reported on 28 March, 2021 by a resident photographer, Imran Shah. Yellowhammer was once reported on 18 Nov, 2019 (Country's first) at Gojal, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Pine Buntings are already regular winter migrants to Pakistan's northern areas.
Since this particular bird shows hybrid characters, I'd really appreciate your valuable response on this matter. Thanks in advance.

 

[Richard Prior]

I’m struggling to see any Pine Bunting influence on this Yellowhammer myself Azan, what are the hybrid characters you refer to?

 

[Azan Khan]

I’m struggling to see any Pine Bunting influence on this Yellowhammer myself Azan, what are the hybrid characters you refer to?

 

[Welsh Peregrine]

I presume the brown streak at the upper border of the throat; this is illustrated in the paper by Panov in Dutch Birds, although there is no identical pattern shown.

 

[dwatsonbirder]

I presume the brown streak at the upper border of the throat; this is illustrated in the paper by Panov in Dutch Birds, although there is no identical pattern shown.

The facial pattern looks similar to G to my eye:



Azan, the paper can be found here if you are interested. I think the late Martin Garner touched on the subject of Yellowhammer with Pine bunting genes previously, see here. I'm sure there was also a more extensive article with other hybrids showing a range of characteristics of both species, but I can't seem to locate it.

 

[Azan Khan]

The facial pattern looks similar to G to my eye:

View attachment 1424590

Azan, the paper can be found here if you are interested. I think the late Martin Garner touched on the subject of Yellowhammer with Pine bunting genes previously, see here. I'm sure there was also a more extensive article with other hybrids showing a range of characteristics of both species, but I can't seem to locate it.

Thank you so much for this valuable response.