hkwongkit

Long Valley
30/11/2007

I believe this is some short of Flycatcher. Would appreciate the exact id please. Any field marks that lead you to the id would be helpful too.
Thanks!

Photo #1


Photo #2

gary

Hi K K Hui,

It's a Siberian Stonechat,
You'd asked a good question. What field marks makes me think it's a stonechat but not flycatcher?
I have no idea, ... maybe because of the standing posture and habitat.

Anyway, a very nice photo with very soft background!

Gary

hkwongkit

Much thanks, Gary!
I think you're right and it's a female Siberian Stonechat.  :

ajohn

Some of the latest taxonomy actually suggests that chats are very closely related to flycatchers, so some would argue that you were right KK.

Among the features that identify this as a female stonechat are:
Comparatively long, strong legs (compared to a flycatcher)
Comparatively strong bill
Streaked upperparts
Warm orange rump
Warm orange-buff breast
White throat/neck
Contrast between paler supercilium and darker ear coverts

As well as the posture and habitat, as Gary mentioned.