GAME: name that bird!

[Soukous]

Just now, mvecht said:

#soukous is the above not a clue that we are talking about a quite common bird?

 

sorry, it was not intended as a clue. I am not sure how common it is within its habitat, but that habitat is not the UK 

[Galana]

Well I am no herbologist but that bush looks like Acacia to me so I have stayed in Africa for now.

Why not River Warbler?

[Soukous]

I will confirm that you are in the right continent. 

[Soukous]

and because I hate it when this game stalls here is another photo of the same bird (not just species but same individual). Don't fret, if that doesn't do the trick I have more

 

[Galana]

1 hour ago, Soukous said:

when this game stalls h

Oh I don't think 'we' have stalled yet. Just need sleep from time to time.

I am still tempted with Locustella and Bradypterus warblers as what we can see of the tail suggest them more than Prinia and my illustrations of Cisticola are awful.

But before dismissing the C word let me suggest Neddicky?

[Soukous]

3 hours ago, Galana said:

But before dismissing the C word let me suggest Neddicky?

 

A lovely little bird for sure. But not this one. 

[mvecht]

@SoukousBarratt`s Warbler?

[Soukous]

Just now, mvecht said:

@SoukousBarratt`s Warbler?

 

well done sir.

Barratt's Warbler it is. 

Photographed in Sani Valley, South Africa. 

#29 in my BY 2020

 

[mvecht]

OK lets try another LBJ

[Galana]

11 minutes too late.

I kept coming back to that time and again but something put me off.

Edited April 19, 2021 by Galana
added text.

[Galana]

And I DO know the next offering but it would not be fair for me to jump in so quickly would it?

I will wait until after dinner which I now have to prepare.

Edited April 19, 2021 by Galana
added text.

[Soukous]

White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher comes to mind but the white eye ring looks very subdued

[Galana]

Dinner over and chores done.

This is one for Galana's Law.  A small Flycatcher so Gnatcatcher and it is sort of blue and grey (or as the locals would put it 'Gray' unless they were in Mexico.)

So put together we have Blue-grey/gray Gnatcatcher I think. Quite common during my two weeks down Mexico way.

[mvecht]

@Galana Galana`s law worked fine in this case. Photographed near Newport California.

[Galana]

I don't think any Law will aid in this one.

Mind the wire.

[mvecht]

@Galana  I think it is a Rosefinch, so I will go with Streaked Rosefinch.

[Soukous]

Then I will suggest Great Rosefinch. The rump looks a bit light for a Streaked Rosefinch. (Says he, trying to sound clever )

[Galana]

2 hours ago, Soukous said:

(Says he, trying to sound clever )

Well you must be if you can see the rump in that photo.

But on the basis you meant Vent I agree.

Also Great has a lighter 'face' than Streaked.

So you got another one. Two in less than a week.

 

Off you go again.

Sorry @mvecht. So near and yet so far.

 

( @SoukousThat'll teach him to keep showing all those bloody Eagles.)

 

[Soukous]

11 hours ago, Galana said:

Well you must be if you can see the rump in that photo.

But on the basis you meant Vent I agree.

 

well, that general area 

[Soukous]

11 hours ago, Galana said:

So you got another one. Two in less than a week.

 

I'm as shocked as everyone else 

[Soukous]

Apologies in advance for this less than crisp photo. I have many lovely sharp photos of this bird but they would make it way too easy.

 

[mvecht]

@soukous  I will give it a try. Greenbacked (bleating) Camaroptera?

[Galana]

Well just to be peverse I will opt for Grey-backed Cameroptera as in my imagination at least I think I see Grey on what bit of the head is visible.

[mvecht]

@Galana  @SoukousGreen-backed or Grey-backed are by some considered the same species

See below from Avibase  https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/species.jsp?lang=EN&avibaseid=9DACBD080E671EA5

 

[Soukous]

Well, this has become more complicated than expected

 

In my book, Green-backed Camaroptera - Camaroptera brachyura and Grey-backed Camaroptera - Camaroptera brevicaudata are 2 different species. According to my book(s) the markings are different (Grey-backed is easily separated from Green-backed by grey back and crown) and there is no overlap in habitat.

 

To the best of my knowledge my specimen, photographed in Maun, is Camaroptera brevicaudata. Camaroptera brachyura does not occur in Botswana.

 

 

So the question is; are they the same species?