Ethiopia--Dire Dawa LBJ's (1 Viewer)

[jstanleyg]

What do you think about these LBJ's seen a couple days ago? Number 3 seems prototypical Blackstart, but the rest just seem to fall within the LBJ realm.

 

[JWN Andrewes]

4 looks like a Barred Warbler

 

[jstanleyg]

4 looks like a Barred Warbler

Interesting. I thought it looked more warbler-like and smaller than a Blackstart but didn't think about immature Barred.

 

[JWN Andrewes]

Been googling images and have decided that I wouldn't like to commit between Blackstart, Brown-tailed Chat and Sombre Chat for #1, never having seen any of them! Don't know if range would help, haven't checked. One for those with field experience of the species methinks. #2 looks like (African presumably) Stonechat.

 

[jstanleyg]

Been googling images and have decided that I wouldn't like to commit between Blackstart, Brown-tailed Chat and Sombre Chat for #1, never having seen any of them! Don't know if range would help, haven't checked. One for those with field experience of the species methinks. #2 looks like (African presumably) Stonechat.

Yes unfortunately the diagnostic rump/vent area was blocked from view and it flew off before I could get to a better position. I believe all three are possible but only Blackstart and Sombre Chat are reported on eBird. Very under reported area, though.

 

[Muppit17]

4 looks like a Barred Warbler

I agree that 4 looks like Barred Warbler.

3 looks a bit like Blackstart, looks very elongated and this may be a feature of the photo.

2 reminds me of a Ficedula type flycatcher - semi-collared is the most likely. They can have reduced white in the wing, but this one seems at the extreme end of what is possible

1 I would add Gambaga flycatcher to the list of possibilities - needs another photo to confirm structure IMO

 

[jstanleyg]

3 looks a bit like Blackstart, looks very elongated and this may be a feature of the photo.

2 reminds me of a Ficedula type flycatcher - semi-collared is the most likely. They can have reduced white in the wing, but this one seems at the extreme end of what is possible

1 I would add Gambaga flycatcher to the list of possibilities - needs another photo to confirm structure IMO

Thanks for the input! Yes, I agree that 1 needs another photo. I do have one (see first photo attached), taken from the same angle, but at least the bird has a slightly different posture. Gambaga flycatcher would be interesting...out of range according to my field guide and online searches, but it is a very under reported area. I remember the bird looking relatively small, which could be a sign in favor of something more flycatcher in size over the chats I had previously been considering.

I wish I had a better pic of 2 to help out. The primary projection does seem to match Semi-collared better than a stonechat, and the flycatcher is just barely within range in that part of Ethiopia.

I'll add a couple other shots of 3 "Blackstart" for alternate angles...certainly willing to hear any other opinions! I'm pretty sure the last photo is the same bird as the other two.

 

[jstanleyg]

1 I would add Gambaga flycatcher to the list of possibilities - needs another photo to confirm structure IMO

Although, shouldn't Gambaga have a yellow or paler lower mandible? I know that morning sunlight/shadow is an issue in the photo, but it still looks like a fully black bill to me.

 

[Muppit17]

Although, shouldn't Gambaga have a yellow or paler lower mandible? I know that morning sunlight/shadow is an issue in the photo, but it still looks like a fully black bill to me.

It should, but as you say it looks evenly coloured, although I wouldn't call it a black bill.

The bird appears to have developed rictal bristles and these are more developed in Flycatchers - but nothing that excludes the chats.

 

[Muppit17]

Thanks for the input! Yes, I agree that 1 needs another photo. I do have one (see first photo attached), taken from the same angle, but at least the bird has a slightly different posture. Gambaga flycatcher would be interesting...out of range according to my field guide and online searches, but it is a very under reported area. I remember the bird looking relatively small, which could be a sign in favor of something more flycatcher in size over the chats I had previously been considering.

I wish I had a better pic of 2 to help out. The primary projection does seem to match Semi-collared better than a stonechat, and the flycatcher is just barely within range in that part of Ethiopia.

I'll add a couple other shots of 3 "Blackstart" for alternate angles...certainly willing to hear any other opinions! I'm pretty sure the last photo is the same bird as the other two.

I still believe we are talking about Blackstart for 3. I was surprised how wheatear-like your second new shot looked, but it is interesting in light of the recent movement of Blackstart into Oenanthe by some authorities.

Remember that the Ethiopian subspecies is lypura which is smaller and less grey than the nominate familiar to most european birds. Quoting HWPB - reduced grey upperparts being pale greyish brown, underparts cream-coloured, while ear-coverts nearly always are warmer rufous-tinged..

Your photos all appear to be from lowland acacia areas and I would expect Blackstart to be relatively common in that habitat.

 

[jstanleyg]

Remember that the Ethiopian subspecies is lypura which is smaller and less grey than the nominate familiar to most european birds. Quoting HWPB - reduced grey upperparts being pale greyish brown, underparts cream-coloured, while ear-coverts nearly always are warmer rufous-tinged..

Your photos all appear to be from lowland acacia areas and I would expect Blackstart to be relatively common in that habitat.

The rufous tinged ear-coverts and the bill make me think a chat is more likely, even though it shows some flycatcher characteristics. If I had to guess I'd still probably put it in the Blackstart realm without being able to see the back end of the bird. But no way to be sure.

 

[sicklebill]

Looks like a Blackstart to me, tail, ear coverts and habitat all good.
How about Dusky Flycatcher for no 2? Doesn't look like a Ficedula

 

[Muppit17]

Looks like a Blackstart to me, tail, ear coverts and habitat all good.
How about Dusky Flycatcher for no 2? Doesn't look like a Ficedula

I had another go at this bird No2 by downloading and adjusting the photo more.

It is certainly not easy to tell from this angle and picture.

What is clear is
- no discernible supercilium and pale lores
-potential for slight collar
- white outer tail feathers
- White is more extensive at the base of the tail - pale rump?
- buffy flanks
- some streaking - almost tramlines - on the back
- tetials and especially secondary coverts are pale tipped.
- bill is all dark

with colour correcting it is always difficult but appears to be going more to warm brown than grey as an original colour.

Alot of these features rule out most of the species mentioned to date.

Some are reminiscent of 1W Stonechat, especially of the Siberian Stonechat group - this species does get as far as Ethiopia and is a possible.

 

[jstanleyg]

I had another go at this bird No2 by downloading and adjusting the photo more.

It is certainly not easy to tell from this angle and picture.

What is clear is
- no discernible supercilium and pale lores
-potential for slight collar
- white outer tail feathers
- White is more extensive at the base of the tail - pale rump?
- buffy flanks
- some streaking - almost tramlines - on the back
- tetials and especially secondary coverts are pale tipped.
- bill is all dark

with colour correcting it is always difficult but appears to be going more to warm brown than grey as an original colour.

Alot of these features rule out most of the species mentioned to date.

Some are reminiscent of 1W Stonechat, especially of the Siberian Stonechat group - this species does get as far as Ethiopia and is a possible.

Sorry for missing your reply until now. Yes, Siberian Stonechat does make it to Ethiopia as a palearctic visitor, so time of year would fit. Thanks for digging in to this one, I'll look at each of the features you mention!

 

[Brian J Small]

3 is Sombre Rockchat - https://www.hbw.com/species/sombre-rockchat-oenanthe-dubia

2 is likely Pied Wheatear?

B

 

[jstanleyg]

3 is Sombre Rockchat - https://www.hbw.com/species/sombre-rockchat-oenanthe-dubia

2 is likely Pied Wheatear?

B

I'd be happy for it to be Sombre Rockchat, but the HBW link seems to conflict with my field guide, Birds of the Horn of Africa:

... stout bill and upright posture. Mainly dark brown above including tail. Pale fringes on dark undertail coverts create diagnostic pattern.

I think Pied is also possible for 2, and between your post and Muppet's post, I think Wheatear/Stonechat is more likely than other similar-sized species.

 

[Tib78]

3 looks like Sombre rock chat to me too despite the undertail coverts looking extensively pale. Actually from a number of angle Sombre RC may appear to have a pale undertail. Do you have other images?