brendank

12 November 2012 -  Mount Davis

I was mobbed by this bush warbler this morning. Calls seemed typical of Russet Bush Warbler. However, undertail coverts look fairly clean to me.  I was considering the possibility of Brown Bush Warbler. I think I can just make out a tiny bit of pale fringing but it seems very weak.

bush_warbler1.JPG (28.7 KB)

12/11/2012 15:34

bush_warbler2.JPG (28.29 KB)

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bush_warbler3.JPG (29.57 KB)

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12/11/2012 15:36

[ Last edited by brendank at 12/11/2012 15:36 ]

Jonathmartinez

pale base of lower mandible indicates Brown Bush Warbler.  a very good find.

kkoel

I think this is a Russet Bush Warbler because of the relatively clear supercilium and eye-line, plus well marked under-tail coverts not observed in Brown Bush Warbler. It is common for non-breeding Russet Bush Warblers to show paler lower mandible and even the cutting edge of upper mandible as shown in photos online and those taken by Geoff on Potoi:

http://hkbws.org.hk/BBS/viewthre ... light=russet%2Bbush

[ Last edited by kkoel at 12/11/2012 16:16 ]

lpaul

Agree, Russet Bush Warbler, pale fringes to undertail coverts seem well marked to me.

Jonathmartinez

sorry, from my experience in Hunan where both occur I never saw a Russet BW with so pale lower mandible, but after a quick check on OBI, I can only agree.
And agree with Paul that undertail covert are well marked, I focus to much on the mandible on my first post, sorry abouth that. So a less better find:-) but always a very enjoyable bird to look at:-)

brendank

thanks, everyone!