Hi,
I’m with Daniel’s analysis of Redstart in preference
to Nightingale, though I must admit Mark’s pick of the Familiar or
Red-tailed Chat is also pretty beguiling (my guide to Middle East and
North African Birds includes P.A.D. Hollom as an author – published 1988).
The pale form of the Familiar Chat shown in Sasol Birds of Southern
Africa is a match for this bird so perhaps the date when the bird was shot, camera-wise
that is, might separate the visitor from the resident.
Shaun
From: Daniel Mantle
[
Sent: Thursday, 19 March 2009 9:52 PM
To: ; ;
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Bird ID: Common Redstart/Common Nightingale
Hi Pete
and Lindsay
I still think this is a female Common Redstart. Common Nightingale have
PALE LEGS, are much more richly brown (to reddy brown) toned above
(not the washed out brown of this bird - even taking into account
the bright light), have greyer colouration around the brown ear
coverts, and would have an evenly coloured reddish-brown tail (NOT
the dark central tail feathers). I don't think you will ever see such
a strong contrast between the upper tail colour and mantle colour of a Common
Nightingale. In my opinion the tail is square enough ended for Common
Redstart and the wing structure and covert edges are ok for this species too.
And I think the pale lores are also fine for a female Common Redstart (in
fact maybe better for this species than Common Nightingale).
Plus, you would be very lucky to see a Common Nightingale showing this well in
the open. They are skulkers most of the time.
More discussion or feedback would be great.
Cheers Dan
Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2009 21:02:14 +1100
From:
To: ;
Subject: Bird ID: Common Nightingale
Its a very long time since I have seen one but I think that this may be a first
winter Common Nightingale. Points in favour versus female Common
Redstart:
Rounded not square ended tail.
Large separation between tips of visible primaries.
Heavy bill (pale gape reveals age).
Dark wing coverts with broad pale fringes creating an especially obvious line
of dark spots through the lesser wing coverts.
Pale lores.
It is not a Sprosser (Thrush Nightingale) because inter alia there are
four primary tips visible and the tip of the alula is just visible below the
greater primary coverts.
Milburn
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