ML379019591 OBI 100395
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Media notes
Remarks: A very frisky bird that remained behind the thorny twigs and in the shade giving very little opportunity to take images. - SS See also images of the same bird by Ramgopal Mamballikalathil. There has been some debate about this bird and the possibility of it being a Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus. Here are some thoughts from the editor (KK) on various aspects of the bird and differences between the species: 1) First of all the most obvious feature - the overall colouration fits Smoky much better than Dusky. Dusky is not usually so dark and smoky, especially as regards the underparts, and does not normally have such an oily yellow-olive tinge. 2) Bill colour in both species is quite variable, although Dusky does tend to have a more extensively pale lower mandible, so the pale on the lower mandible of this bird may tend more in favour of Dusky but would not rule out Smoky. 3) The distinguishing feature of black legs in Smoky versus brown legs in Dusky quoted by some observers does not bear out. If you look through the pix of Smoky on OBI, most of them just have dark brown legs like this bird, whereas a lot of Dusky have rather paler legs than this although on some the legs may appear as brown as on this bird. Not a very good distinguishing feature except when a bird has very pale legs, in which case it is likely to be a Dusky. 4) Undertail coverts in Dusky are pale. Those in Smoky are dark. This bird has dark undertail coverts the same colour as the bird's dark flanks. Definitely a major point in favour of Smoky. 5) Supercilium is again a bit variable in both species, but on Dusky it is usually broader and paler than on this bird on which the supercilium is indistinct and sullied with brown. Additionally, on Dusky it is usually decidedly whiter in front of the eye. Not so on this bird. 6) Ear coverts: if you look at the faces of Dusky Warblers you will see a dark line through the eye which becomes broader as it extends back behind the eye but, crucially, this dark line contrasts with a paler mottled area on the ear coverts just below the line behind the eye. On Smoky the ear coverts are darker and less contrasting. This bird matches Smoky in that respect. 7) The Grimskipp field guide mentions the bold white crescent below the eye on Smoky. This bird certainly shows such a bold white crescent. However, Dusky also often shows a white crescent below the eye, so the feature is perhaps not that useful. It is however, fairly striking on this bird. 8) Another supporting feature might be the distinctly darker wings and tail of this bird contrasting with the mantle and remaining upperparts. Usually less contrast than this on Dusky. 9) Tail length is supposed to be another distinguishing feature but I've failed to find any consistent difference in the pix on OBI. So much depends on the posture of the birds. So, from the above you will see that most important features point to this bird being a Smoky Warbler. The rather yellow tinge to the underparts and supercilium suggest it is of the nominate subspecies fuligiventer. - KK. Date added to OBI: February 15, 2015.
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Technical information
- Dimensions
- 650 pixels x 498 pixels
- Original file size
- 95.79 KB