Problems IDing our little beige and brown friends

[Jacqueline Burrell]

These were all seen in Luxor last weekend.

I'll stick my neck out a hazards a few guesses.

1. female bluethroat
2. and 3. chiffchaff or willow warbler
5. female grey wagtail

Jacqueline:puzzled:

[Brian S]

Jacqueline

You're are correct with the Bluethroat and I would agree with the Willow Warbler for 2 and 3.

4 is a Graceful Prinia (sometimes known as Graceful Warbler). This occurs along the River Nile and and runs east through the Middle East and across India, with 12 subspecies described that vary in tone of upperparts and strength of streaking. Yours is the nominate gracilis, which is one of the palest and has fine streaking - note how worn the tail can often look and how pale the face is.

5 is a wagtail, but I would say a young White.

Brian S

[frankmeer]

I also think the last one is a first winter White/Pied Wagtail, Motacilla alba.