Namibia, E of Windhoek, 5th June 22 Please id Sparrowlike bird (1 Viewer)

[Andy Hurley]

Hi,
I thought this was a Southern Grey Headed Sparrow, apart from the speckled utc's and what looks faintly like malar, submoustachial and moustachial stripes. Having difficulty finding images with the same or similar markings in the books or online. The facial stripes remind me of Scaly Finch, but the rest doesn't fit. There is also a faint eye stripe.
Any ideas on this bird would be very helpful. Taken 42 Km east of Windhoek, Namibia at the Naankuse Lodge at the edge of the Kalahari.

Many thanks

 

[tconzemi]

imho these are artefacts, especially the UTC reveailing the darker bases not visible on a side shot, Southern Grey-headed Sparrow imo

 

[Andy Hurley]

Thanks very much Tom! I suppose the strong light can throw up these artefacts. Something to take into account in future.

 

[Butty]

Agree. Looks fine for whatever the local grey-headed sparrow is. All the markings described seem due only to the way the feathers are lying - though they're not what I'd call (photo-)artefacts as I'm sure they would be as visible in reality as in a photo.

 

[Andy Hurley]

Agree. Looks fine for whatever the local grey-headed sparrow is. All the markings described seem due only to the way the feathers are lying - though they're not what I'd call (photo-)artefacts as I'm sure they would be as visible in reality as in a photo.

Quite! They were real, hence my uncertainty. It was windy nearly everyday this trip, along with bright sunshine, which can cause this to happen.