brendank

Here are some more pictures of the mystery warbler.  I am inclined to call it a Yellow-streaked Warbler due to the call notes.  I listened to Radde's Warbler call note and they sound wrong--this bird really did sound more like Arctic than Dusky.  I can't find a recording of the Yellow-streaked Warbler call.  If it sounds like a Bunting, then which bunting species is closest?

With regard to behavior, it was indeed on the top of some smaller bushes with climbers but then flew into middle canopy of some nearby trees. I was on a hill so most shots will look eyelevel.

I have more pictures but I am at my 800kb limit.

What do people think?

warb1.JPG (117.84 KB)

17/11/2010 19:49

warb3.JPG (120.78 KB)

17/11/2010 19:49

warb5.JPG (139.7 KB)

17/11/2010 19:49

tmichael

Would definitely favour Yellow-streaked on basis of these shots + reports on the call.

Mike Turnbull

brendank

Bird was seen around 10 am today by another birder.  That birder favors Radde's but I don't have details.

I am going to post more pictures when my quota resets.

[ Last edited by brendank at 18/11/2010 13:17 ]

brendank

Some more photos.

warb2a.JPG (98.65 KB)

18/11/2010 21:24

warb4a.JPG (103.32 KB)

18/11/2010 21:24

warb6.JPG (150.58 KB)

18/11/2010 21:24

brendank

And suddenly it is back in the same place.  Watched it for about four minutes.  Never heard it call even once.  If it had been a Dusky Warbler it would have called at least 30 times in that time span.

Any more thoughts?

warb1.JPG (79.8 KB)

24/11/2010 11:22

warb2.JPG (68.23 KB)

24/11/2010 11:22

warb3.JPG (84.78 KB)

24/11/2010 11:22

warb4.JPG (86.1 KB)

24/11/2010 11:22

[ Last edited by brendank at 24/11/2010 22:05 ]

tmichael

Not sure but don't think Radde's can be eliminated on these shots - there is bill depth overlap at around 3.4mm I think and this seems in that sort of area to me.

Certainly not necessarily the same bird of course. There're probably quite a few Radde's around at this time.

Mike Turnbull.

brendank

Might not be the same bird but it was in the same spot and the bill structure and leg size seem similar.  Also note the worn tail feathers on both birds.  So I do believe it's one bird.  

It's quite frustrating not hear it call today. Radde's Warblers seem quite variable in terms of structure.  Some pictures of Radde's on the web seem to have quite thick "oversized" legs and feet.  This bird certainly doesn't have that characteristic.