Ethiopia 10/2011 (1 Viewer)

[dvenken]

Need your help for the following, all pictures taken during our trip around Ethiopia, October 2011
1/. along the road from Bahir Dar to Gondar
2/. & 3/. in the gardens of Seven Olives hotels in Lalibela
4/. along the road, close to Arba Minch
5/. in the gardens of Swaynes lodge in Arba Minch
Thank you

 

[Arend]

Have no bird book with me to check for details and alternatives, but can they be 1. Moorland Chat and 2 +5 Common Bulbuls? The third I dont know without book and the fourth is mysterious. How big are these birds?
Cheers,
Arend

 

[cuckooroller]

3. Just about has to be Passer swainsonii, though I wish I had a full view of the bill, and I wish the mantle were more obviously greyish. The throat appears concolourous with the rest of the head and this should eliminate Passer griseus, which should not range here in any case.

4. Well, subadult Lophaetus comes to mind.

5. Arba Minch falls within the range within Ethiopia of Pycnonotus tricolor, which I think this is because of the evident color concentration of the pectoral, and the hooded effect of the head black. I can't see, however, a yellowish crissum, looks just off-white to me.

2. Same as the above, just very overexposed photo.

1. The toughie of the set. I don't think it is a Moorland Chat. My best guess is that it is a Wheatear of some sort. I don't recognize the plumage however, and this may be a bird in transition. Gladly accept help on this one!

 

[DMW]

I would suggest that #1 is an immature male Ab. Black Wheatear (buff undertail coverts).

 

[Brian J Small]

I would suggest that #1 is an immature male Ab. Black Wheatear (buff undertail coverts).

I agree

http://kilnsey.tripod.com/birdwatching_in_eritrea/photographs/abyssinian_wheatear_fem.jpg

Brian S

 

[nick scarle]

No. 4 is a Long-crested Eagle, Lophaetus occipitalis.

Nick

 

[MacNara]

3. Just about has to be Passer swainsonii, though I wish I had a full view of the bill, and I wish the mantle were more obviously greyish. The throat appears concolourous with the rest of the head and this should eliminate Passer griseus, which should not range here in any case.

I have a whole load of picture of Grey-headed Sparrows from Ethiopia (no obscure localities). The book suggest that Swainson's is the only possibility in the area. Most of my birds have no visible white wing-bar. Does this matter? Can I simply assume they are Swainson's? Apart from the missing wing-bar, they look fine.