Tommy Pedersen
Jan 6

Phylloscopus-warblers in Kerala

20 comments

I had a 24-hour layover in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) 5-6 January 2019 and decided to head to Arippa, 65 km with car north-northeast of downtown Trivandrum. A nice walk was had, the results can be seen here: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S51337179

 

I photographed 3 species of Phylloscoups, one which seems straight-forward, and two that I would like to get some input on. Apparently, 6 species winter here regularly, and listed here in what I feel is in order of greatest likelihood looking at eBird:

Green Warbler, Phylloscopus nitidus Seems abundant in the whole w and sw India. Greenish Warbler, Phylloscopus trochiloides viridanus

Seems abundant in the whole w and sw India.

 

Large-billed Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus magnirostris

Seems common in w and sw India.

 

Western Crowned Warbler, Phylloscopus occipitalis

Seems fairly common in w and sw India.

 

Tickell's Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus affinis

Seems scarce in the Trivandrum area, more common further north

 

Tytler's Leaf Warbler, Phylloscopus tytleri

Seems scarce in the Trivandrum area

 

 

 

Tommy Pedersen
Jan 6

This is the first species. Seemingly good for Green Warbler, Phylloscopus nitidus

 

 

 

 

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Tommy Pedersen
Jan 6

This is the second species. Faint or no wing-bar. Not sure yet what this can be:

 

 

 

 

 

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andrewbailey1967
Jan 6

I'd go for Large-billed. Bill is heavy and bulbous with slight hook and dark smudge on lower mandible similar to Arctic. Greyish underparts, dull green upperparts, grey legs.

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Tommy Pedersen
Jan 6

The third bird, a little cutie with a nice yellow throat and a distinct wing-bar. Two close-ups at the end. Another Green Warbler?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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andrewbailey1967
Jan 6

I was going to comment on this but got sidetracked. Anyway, agree with Mark.

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Tommy Pedersen
Jan 6

Thanks guys, this is much appreciated. Great fun, in that forest.

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andrewbailey1967
Jan 6

The Starlings are blythii, aren't they? Isn't that a full species according to IOC and Clements?

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Tommy Pedersen
Jan 6Edited: Jan 6

I tried desperately to make then blythii, but failed, due head colour.

And I was hoping to hear from you, Andrew, once you had a look at the checklist. Always a pleasure :-) Can you see photos/species of 'Rare' and flagged birds? Like:

Greater Coucal (Southern) - photo not showing in Macaulay, flagged as Unconfirmed

Greater Flameback (Malabar) - ditto

Ashy Drongo (Blackish) - ditto

Tickell's Blue Flycatcher (Tickell's) - ditto

 

 

 

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Tommy Pedersen
Jan 6

By the way, I really like the ease of use of uploading images to this new Forum :-)

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