Ross Ahmed
January 3rd, 2010, 07:23 AM
Does anyone know of any photos of the Dusky Warbler in Malta (6th record) on 1st Oct 2009, other than that published in the January Birdwatch? There’s a few things that don’t quite seem to add up.
Just to get a few caveats out of the way first – I’m not 100% sure it’s bill isn’t slightly open (often shown by birds in the hand), I can only find the one photo and I didn’t see or perhaps more importantly hear the bird in the field (or in the hand).
......but even with those caveats out of the way, I’m still asking if this is a Dusky Warbler due to (a) supercilium seems to flare more than it should (b) bill seems slightly thick (c) upperparts looks too olive (d) underparts lack the characteristic brown wash (e) primary projection looks too long (f) legs looks slightly thick (g) tail seems rather long.
So what is it? I’ve seen a pale Willow Warbler masquerade as a Dusky Warbler for several days before, and I’m not confident the same mistake hasn’t been made here.
Opinions please.
Just to get a few caveats out of the way first – I’m not 100% sure it’s bill isn’t slightly open (often shown by birds in the hand), I can only find the one photo and I didn’t see or perhaps more importantly hear the bird in the field (or in the hand).
......but even with those caveats out of the way, I’m still asking if this is a Dusky Warbler due to (a) supercilium seems to flare more than it should (b) bill seems slightly thick (c) upperparts looks too olive (d) underparts lack the characteristic brown wash (e) primary projection looks too long (f) legs looks slightly thick (g) tail seems rather long.
So what is it? I’ve seen a pale Willow Warbler masquerade as a Dusky Warbler for several days before, and I’m not confident the same mistake hasn’t been made here.
Opinions please.