Mystery Bird: Common Whitethroat, Sylvia communis

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[Mystery bird] Common Whitethroat, Sylvia communis, photographed in Denmark. [I will identify this bird for you tomorrow]

Image: Roger Tidman/ RSPB.

Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.

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It looks like a warbler/vireo of some type so based on that I suspect it might be a whitethroat, perhaps Sylvia communis, because of the rufous on the wing. I'm not completely sure though (maybe 70% sure?) as there may be other European birds that look similar.

By Daniel J. Andrews (not verified) on 02 Jun 2009 #permalink

I would go for a whitethroat, too. I think the female is the only warbler with a brown head, reddish wings and white throat (the male has a grey head).

By Richard Simons (not verified) on 02 Jun 2009 #permalink

Erithacus Rubecula female

Head-body shape looks wrong for a robin (E. rubecula), and primaries don't project the way a robin's would, and I thought females still had the frontal red. But what do I know...my only views of a European Robin are from the opening and closing sequences of Winged Migration. :)

By Daniel J. Andrews (not verified) on 03 Jun 2009 #permalink

It's certainly a warbler (bill shape) but I don't have a European bird book so I can't be specific to species. The size of the bird is a hint as well - it appears smaller than a robin.