Large-billed Reed Warbler

[Brian S]

A photo by Peter Kaestner has been posted on the world rarities page of this incredibly rare species. Previously known from a single specimen, then with several now discovered 'hiding' in various collections (presumably in Blyth's Reed trays) and trapped by Phil Round in Thailand, and following photos of another bird in India in 2007, this image is extremely rare.

With such a rare bird, which has hardly been seen in the wild, the identity is perhaps open to question, but it looks pretty good to me - look at that tail movement.....

Brian S

[forktail]

Cheers Brian

the other pix Brian refers to are here:

http://orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?action=searchresult&Bird_ID=2750

[Lars Svensson]

Judging from examined specimens of orinus (12 to date) it is a cryptic species being extremely similar to Blyth's Reed (dumetorum). But what can be seen on this single photo fit orinus well: longish tail, long and pointed claws, rather full width of bill (lacking atennuated tip of dumetorum), pale lower mandible lacking dark mark. And habit of semi-spreading tail while moving in canopy previously suggested to be diagnostic and shown here again. Still, before more is known of variation in behaviour in both orinus and dumetorum perhaps best to be cautious, as indeed Brian was.

[Brian S]

I was in Kanha NP (Madhya Pradesh) in November 2008, and one of the local birders there was telling me that he had one nearby in April 2008. Maybe there are more about than we think.

Brian S

[JHvS]

There's now also a 109-year old specimen from souther Kazakhstan (Dutch Birding), so Central Asian birding gets even more exciting!