Eastern Hoopoe in Germany (1 Viewer)

[Marcel_orni]

Hi Birders!
In Lower Saxony, Germany, a hoopoe has been recorded since December 07. The bird was only seen by local birders, until Ulrich Pittius saw the bird in February 08. Because the bird looks very darkish/brown, it´s assumed to be ssp. Saturata. Photos of this bird are on Club300.de. Im interested in your opinion.
Cheers, Marcel

 

[HH75]

I was always led to believe, as per the popular literature, that it was the occasional pale late autumn/winter birds that were mooted as being 'possible saturata', though, of course, the scientific name does suggest that there should be a greater saturation of colour. As far as I am aware, none of these claimed birds have ever been accepted as such, due to variation (clinal?) within the species?
Regards,
Harry