Hume's Warbler (Phylloscopus humei)
- Mizpe Ramon 20/11/03
On 8th November Arnon Tsairi saw two 'Yellow-browed'
Warblers at Ha-Ruhot junction sewage pools near Mizpe Ramon in the Central
Negev.
On 17th November he returned to the site and relocated one of them,
taking a number of digital images through his binoculars. After inspecting
the photos, Arnon became suspicious that the bird might be a Hume's
Warbler (Phylloscopus humei), and plans were made to catch and
ring the bird to help establish the bird's identity beyond doubt. |
Hume's Warbler
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On 20th November, Arnon together with Ido Tsurim successfully caught the
bird which confirmed their suspicions. This bird was indeed a HUME'S
WARBLER and was successfully seen in the field on 21st by
Yoav Perlman, Eran Banker and others at the same location.
The following characters supported the identification: Supercilium
- buffish tinged rather than yellow, with overall facial pattern duller
and less contrasting than that of autumn Yellow-browed Warbler (Phylloscopus
inornatus). Much greyer tinge to crown and nape merging to greenish
mantle, and therefore much less bright than that of autumn Yellow-browed
Warbler.
Bill - dark with a limited pinkish base to lower mandible.
Dark, greyish-brown legs. |
Hume's Warbler
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Buff-grey tinge to breast and flanks. Buff tinge to wing bars and the margins
of the tertials. Overall pattern of upperparts duller and less contrasting
than in Yellow-browed Warbler.
The
bird was ringed and photographed, but the final ratification awaits
the inspection of the Israel Rarities and Distribution Committee.
Ido and
Arnon also found the place itself to be full of birds, mainly Chiffchaffs, Black
Redstarts and an impressive total of 61 Robins were
ringed. |
Hume's Warbler
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Of special interest were 3 Ring Ouzels (2 male and 1 female),
1 Crag Martin (which was also caught and ringed), several Syrian
Serins and Desert Finches, 10 Black-bellied
Sandgrouse and a single Barbary Falcon.
Hume's Warbler is a national rarity in Israel with
just 14 accepted records, with a further 4 records awaiting acceptance
by the IRDC. This would be about the 19th record for Israel if accepted.
Special
thanks to Arnon Tsairi and Ido Tsurim for providing the content and
photos for this story. |
Hume's Warbler
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All photos here were taken by Arnon Tsairi (www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Cove/8702).
Two
were taken in the field on 17th November, and 4 taken in the hand on 20th
November.
Good birding,
James P. Smith and The Birdingisrael Team
Contact info
Daphna Abell
Program Coordinator
lotan-programs@lotan.ardom.co.il
Tel: +972 8 6356935;
Toll Free: 1800 2000 75 (when in Israel)