Pale Martin - Emin Yogurtcuoglu I birddetective
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Emin Yogurtcuoglu I birddetective Media from this contributor Profile

Date

Location

Hichan Gardens River Edge
Sistan va Baluchestan, Iran
Media from this location Illustrated Checklist
Map
Map Coordinates: 26.359441, 60.064478
Age
Not specified
Sex
Not specified

Observation details

2nd record of Pale Sand Martin in Iran. On 25th of December, while birding in Hichan Gardens, we came across many Rock Martins. While trying to photograph them, I noticed a very small swallow, almost same colour as Rock Martins.(above of the bird) This very pale grey bird with strange flight had got my attention and I tried to photograph it. I was holding a Canon 90D with 600mm in my hands so it was not easy but at least had one clear underside shot of the bird. •Dirty throat and no white on chin •Not obviously marked breast band •No obvious contrast between cheek and face (which makes sun glasses effect on eyes) •Short tail with long undertail coverts (probably moulting) •Tail shallowly forked •Underparts dingy white •Observed while flight: Pale and greyer upper parts -Since this species breeds in Central Asia and is an uncommon/rare winter visitor just across the Persian Gulf in the UAE and Oman, it is surely overlooked in Iran. Its mega status in Iran speaks to the paucity of observers in eastern part of the Iran. Also just recently, a report of two birds from Khuzestan is also still under consideration.

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