Identification help please

[Endrick]

I've put these in the Gallery - unfortunately one is in the wrong Gallery!

I would appreciate any help in identifying these two warblers. I think the one on the gorse may be a whitethroat female but I haven't a clue about the other one.





Malcolm

[RobS]

I would have said Chiffchaff for both but I'll have a closer look.

Hmm leg colour on the gorse looks good for Willow Warbler but from what I have read on here the primary projection is the clincher (and the call of course).

I'll stick with Chiffchaff for both.

RKB, Picidae or Roy W will be along in a moment to verify it.

Rob S

[bigdave60dog]

On the Gorse. Eye stripe, black legs = Chiffchaff.
Not sure about bottom one

[Adam Cheeseman]

Going on primary projection alone I would say they are both Willow Warblers, but there is something of the chiffchaff about the top one though it does appear to have horn not dark coloured legs.

Cheers,

Adam

[RobS]

Ha that's amusing. I took a look at the PP and thought (certainly the top one) it was short therefore a Chiffchaff! Are you sure, the one at the top looks as if the PP is nowhere near the length of the tertials which I believe it should be for WW? (Ah or is it near the length?)

Just looked and 1/2 for Chiffchaff and 3/4 for WW - that gorse one is I would say 5/8!!

The top one looks a bit washed out for WW although the light might not be right. The bottom one looks a better candidate for WW.

Just call them Willowchiffs that'll do!

Rob S

Rob S

[RoyW]

Both Willow Warblers - although these aren't the easiest of photos to go on!

[Picidae]

Both birds appear to be moulting/growing their primaries so the references to 'primary projection' is a pretty mute point.

I agree with Roy, not an easy pair of photos, but on general gizz, facial features, both look ok for Willow Warblers for me.

It would help to have a date on the photos.

[Endrick]

Hi,

I did put a date of the photos in the description:

The one of the Gorse was taken in Argyllshire in May and the other was taken in Western Donegal, near Dungloe - also in May.

Interestingly I was taking pictures of willow warblers and whitethroats in Argyllshire and the reason this one stood out is because the other willow warblers and chiff chaffs had a touch of yellow. This one doesn't which made me suspect it amy be a dully coloured female whitethroat. Neither did I hear it call which would have helped. There are literally hundreds of whitethroats, sedge warblers and willow warblers at this site and a few chiff chaffs.

Similarly the Donegal area I was at had lots of "typical" chiff chaffs and willow warblers but this one looked quite different.

Malcolm

[RKB]

Originally Posted by Picidae

Both birds appear to be moulting/growing their primaries

What makes you think that?