Handbook of Western Palearctic Birds

Transcription

1 Handbook of Western Palearctic Birds Updated list of HWPB s image-gaps for species groups Starlings and mynas to Buntings August 2012 Dear friends, photographers and collaborators, We like to start these introductory words by flagging the following news: we have finally ended the hard work of going through the entire passerine image collection, we have made a first rough selection and sorted these into species, subspecies and in all possible ages, sexes and seasonal variations. This also resulted in a full index system and a list of desirable but still missing images. The official count of the passerine HWPB base collection now stands at an amazing 29,531 images all now identified and categorized, catalogued and indexed! This makes the HWPB base collection the most complete WP photographic collection in terms of both plumage and geographical variation! Secondly, with this process we have also completed the selection of the images for the following six last groups of the passerines volume of HWPB: starlings and mynas, sparrows, waxbills, silverbills, avadavats, finches, New World warblers, New World sparrows and juncos and buntings. We now have roughly 70 80% of the images for these sections of the handbook. However, there remain a handful of taxa for which we still require good photographs. Can you help? Both the image selection and the writing of detailed technical captions for each of the c images in the passerines volume require a great deal of time and a very careful approach. We would like once again to thank the many excellent photographers that form a key part of the HWPB team. As a result of their input we are about to achieve the most complete photographic coverage of any bird book ever published. Indeed, we are well on the way to enjoying complete coverage of the whole spectrum of variation, subspecies, and age/sex-related plumages for all the recognised characteristic taxa within the Western Palearctic (the boundaries of which we have decided to extend for this project to include, for example, the Arabian Peninsula and the entire Iran). We would like to invite you to read through our list below, and to check whether your collection (or that of your friends?) have images of the plumages in question. Our hope is to fill most of these gaps by the end of the autumn 2012, but submission for these last groups is still possible during the first half of next year. We believe that among so many active and dedicated photographers around these days, there is a good chance that our image or plumage gaps have already been photographed and exist somewhere in someone s archives, memories or computers, and it is therefore only a matter of time until the photographer can find the time to relocate and send the images to us. So if you think as a few examples that you have taken images of a fresh ad female (autumn) Eurasian 1

2 Siskin (just after the complete post-breeding moult), or ad male Black-headed Bunting in Aug Sep just after the post-breeding moult, then please do not hesitate to send us the image for a check. Remember, in such a handbook it is nice to show a selection of the usual and well-known plumages, but what actually will make this handbook different and much more useful is if we could also photographically cover the least known or documented variations! We can also add here that most of our gaps generally concern autumn plumages so please do not wait, take your camera and photograph as many autumn plumages as possible in this coming autumn 2012!! And last, we thought you like to be updated concerning the overall progress of the first volume, the passerines of the HWPB: main text we have all accounts written, and 4/5 of these already updated and edited by Lars, and ready for submission, and only 1/5 left to go through the same advanced text preparations. Also the image selection and drafting of captions are in good progress, with the selection and full captions written for first half, larks to warblers. Hadoram is now focusing on the completion of the rest. Your images are very welcome in the HWPB! For submission of low-res images before the end of November 2012, please contact José Luis Copete, the HWPB s chief photographic researcher, at: joseluiscopete@gmail.com We will be happy to receive images on our upload site, and especially for the groups below (Projects 21, Starlings and Mynas to 26, Buntings). For a reminder on how to upload, or for any other enquiry concerning submission via the site please contact Jim Martin at jim.martin@bloomsbury.com At this stage we still require submission of new images in low-res format. For further inquires please contact René Pop, the HWPB s photographic editor, at: pop.texel@texel.com From the team of the long-awaited Handbook of Western Palearctic Birds, Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Hadoram Shirihai & Lars Svensson The list When submitting images please add the following info as part of the image file name: species name, if possible subspecies name and age/sex (optional), the locality, date, and photographer surname, so we can keep record of these in the collection, thanks. 21. Starlings and mynas: TRISTRAM'S STARLING Image requested: 1stY male (with clear juv retained wing feathers), and juv. ROSE-COLOURED STARLING Image requested: in SPRING 1stS (showing clear juv retained wing-f and least advanced ad plumages), both sexes; in AUTUMN Ad male and Ad female. (COMMON) STARLING Image requested: for showing extreme racial variation we will like to show breeding males from the core breeding grounds of S. v. tauricus (S Ukraine, W Turkey) which has glossy green on much of head and neck, and S. v. nobilior (E Iran, neighbouring parts of Central Asia) which has glossy purple on much of head and neck. SPOTLESS STARLING Image requested: breeding ad female, and autumn-winter ad female are still missing; also ad male winter could be improved. PIED MYNAH Image requested: all main plumages need improvements, including ad, juv and imm. WATTLED STARLING Image requested: we are still doing very bad with this African species, with still all main plumages are missing or need improvements, including during BREEDING Ad male & female, and imm (variation); also NON-BREEDING plumages for both ad & 1stY (both sexes) and juv. Any good images to fill the gaps of these will be more than welcome. 2

3 22. Sparrows and Petronia: SAXAUL SPARROW Image requested: all plumages, i.e. at least male and female in both spring and autumn of the relevant race P. a. ammodendri of Iran and N Afghanistan to SC Kazakhstan. We still not have photographic material from this recently added species, which we hope to illustrate fully! HOUSE SPARROW Image requested: we will be happy to improve the presentation with good images of the races P. d. biblicus (in our region at least in the Caucasus, SE Turkey to Iran and Levant), but especially needed are images of the Egyptian P. n. niloticus. INDIAN SPARROW Image requested: we already got some valuable images, but still hope for more complete coverage, and with the following races. P. i. indicus in our region this race should be found rather widely in Kuwait, Arabia (except north-east), as well as in many areas of the Oriental Region; in P. i. rufidorsalis in Sudan and S Nile valley of Egypt; P. i. hufufae at least in NE Saudi Arabia?; and P. i. bactrianus in Transcaspia, from NE Iran north to south-west, central, and E Kazakhstan. ITALIAN SPARROW Image requested: juv only! SPANISH SPARROW Image requested: fresh autumn females, and juv only! DEAD SEA SPARROW Image requested: fresh-autumn Ad male between Oct and Dec; also variation of females, especially older ones showing to some degree male-like rufous wing-coverts; also juv. AFGHAN SCRUB SPARROW Image requested: all plumages, i.e. at least male and female in both spring and autumn. We still haven t got photographic material from this recently suggested split, which we hope to illustrate adequately! SIND JUNGLE SPARROW Image requested: vast majority of the photographic material/plumages of this species are needed much improvement or are missing altogether. Thus, we will appreciate any good material for both sexes in all seasons! IAGO SPARROW Image requested: fresh-autumn Ad male & female; also immature birds. DESERT SPARROW Image requested: any interesting images that show immaturity of males, like fresh 1stW male (often in sparrows despite the complete post-juv moult they are only developed poorly marked male plumage, which will be nice to show). ASIAN DESERT SPARROW P. (s.) zarudnyi (Central Asia, extralimital in our region) Image requested: all plumages, i.e. at least male and female in both spring and autumn. We still haven t got photographic material from this recently suggested (at least potentially) split, which we hope to illustrate adequately! ARABIAN GOLDEN SPARROW Image requested: all plumages, i.e. at least male and female in both spring and autumn. We are doing really badly with this species; we simply still haven t got any usable photographic material from this species, which we hope to illustrate adequately! SUDAN GOLDEN SPARROW Image requested: females in both spring and autumn, and imm males. We are also rather weak with material for this species; we hope to see more photographic material from this species! PALE ROCK SPARROW Image requested: we are doing very well with spring birds (so not need any from this season), but have nothing of autumn, i.e. it will be nice to see images of 1stW (fresh) and ad (worn or partially moulted) during the autumn migration; also needed is juv. We will also appreciate to see images of birds in flight. YELLOW-THROATED SPARROW Image requested: we are doing rather well with spring-summer birds (so not need any from this season), but have nothing of the duller plumages in autumn-winter, i.e. we will very much appreciated to see images of fresh 1stW and worn or partially moulted ad (both sexes)! ROCK SPARROW Image requested: we are doing well with spring-summer birds (so not need any from this season), but have almost nothing of autumn, i.e. it will be nice to see images of 1stW (fresh) and ad (worn or partially moulted) prior the completion of moult and when very fresh during autumn to early winter. We will also appreciate to see images of birds in flight. BUSH PETRONIA Image requested: with have very limited material and therefore we will be more than happy to see many more images of all plumages i.e. from both sexes in spring-summer and autumnwinter, and also not fully matured birds, as well as juv. All is preferable from the SW Arabian populations, but we can accept African birds since the species is best regarded as monotypic. (WHITE-WINGED) SNOW FINCH Image requested: - M. n. nivalis (Europe): improvements for breeding female; also least advanced 1stS male (approaching female); fresh 1stW birds (Oct-Dec), and juv. - M. n. leucura (Asia Minor): fresh/winter plumage male and female (Oct-Feb). - M. n. alpicola (Caucasus and eastwards): breeding female; also fresh/winter plumage male and female (Oct-Feb) 23. Waxbills, silverbills, avadavats and vireos: STREAKED WEAVER Image requested: we have few usable images but will appreciate to see more good quality images toward the final selection of the species, including breeding male and breeding female; also non-breeding birds that could show age/sex variation. We prefer images from Egypt, but since the species show hardly any geographical variation we can accept images from India too. RÜPPELL'S WEAVER Image requested: we have few usable images but will appreciate to see more good quality images toward the final selection, and especially non-breeding birds that could show age/sex 3

4 variation. We prefer images from Oman, but since the species show hardly any geographical variation we can accept images from E Africa too. RED AVADAVAT Image requested: despite the complex plumage variation of this little bird we received images that can cover the all age/sex and seasonal variation of the species (amazing!). However, we could perhaps only improve the non-breeding Ad male (in eclipse female-like plumage following partial postnupt. moult) and also non-breeding Ad female. Thus, please be very selective when sending images for this species! ZEBRA WAXBILL Image requested: all plumages, i.e. at least male and female in both spring and autumn. We still haven t got any photographic material from this species, which we hope to illustrate adequately! INDIAN SILVERBILL Image requested: only juv. AFRICAN SILVERBILL Image requested: only juv. COMMON WAXBILL Image requested: Ad breeding female; also birds in the non-breeding season and especially 1stW/imm birds; also juv. ARABIAN WAXBILL Image requested: only juv. RED-BILLED FIREFINCH Image requested: we have some images, but we still hope to get more and better images from the appropriate race, L. s. rhodopsis (of S Mauritania, N Senegal to Sudan, W Ethiopia and Eritrea), and especially from S Algeria or Western Sahara where this species is apparently occur in the WP. RED-EYED VIREO Image requested: we have already three good images selected, but we can spare spaces for another one or two recently taken photos, if exceptionally good and instructive! 24. Finches: CHAFFINCH Image requested: - Coelebs group, the so-called Common Chaffinch (W Eurasia to Middle East): from nominate race (Europe) we still need ad female in spring/summer (worn) and autumn/winter (fresh) that shows clear aging characteristics (i.e. evenly feathered after post-nuptial moult) photographer, please send for check only if you are sure of the age of ad female! Also juv is needed. We will also be happy to receive images of more eastern origin races, like the ssp alexandrovi. - Spodiogenys group, the so-called North African Chaffinch (NW Africa): we still have too limited material to illustrate adequately this distinctive group, and we hope to receive good material of both sexes (all seasons) for the two recognized races, spodiogenys (E & C Tunisia) and africana (Morocco to NW Tunisia)! - Canariensis group, the so-called Canary Islands Chaffinch (Canary Islands): we still have too limited material to illustrate adequately this distinctive group, and we hope to receive good material of both sexes (all seasons) for the three recognized races, canariensis, ombriosa and palmae when sending images please indicate the island where image was taken! - Madeirensis group, the so-called Madeira Chaffinch (Madeira & Azores): we already received some good material for both islands populations, madeirensis (Madeira) and moreletti (Azores), but we still hope to receive further good material from both races and of both sexes (all seasons) for better plumage coverage of these so distinctive forms. BLUE CHAFFINCH Image requested: in particular we are missing 1stW male and juv. However, and despite that we already have few very good images we will appreciate to see more good quality images toward the final selection, and especially non-breeding birds that could show age/sex variation. BRAMBLING Image requested: autumn fresh Ad male & female and 1stW male (but ONLY birds NOT LATER than Dec!); also juv. RED-FRONTED SERIN Image requested: in spring-summer dull females (preferable 1stS); fresh autumnwinter plumages, both Ad and 1stW birds (both sexes). CITRIL FINCH Image requested: dull 1stS female in spring; also juv, and all autumn (fresh) plumages, including Ad & 1stW of both sexes. CORSICAN FINCH Image requested: we have already some images, but for better presentation of the species variation we sill hope for much improvement and completion of plumages, including both sexes/ages in autumn and spring! (EUROPEAN) SERIN Image requested: 1stS male and female, showing clear aging characteristics, being duller than the respective Ads and with moult limit in greater-coverts. SYRIAN SERIN Image requested: in spring-summer dull females (preferable 1stS); fresh autumn-winter plumages, both Ad and 1stW birds (both sexes). (ATLANTIC) CANARY Image requested: Ad and 1stS females in spring. ARABIAN SERIN Image requested: we have already few usable images selected, but toward the final selection we will appreciate to see further recently taken photos, if good and instructive! YEMEN SERIN Image requested: we have already some good images selected, but we can spare further spaces for recently taken photos, if exceptionally good and instructive ones! GOLDEN-WINGED GROSBEAK Image requested: we have already some very good images, but still missing imm/1sty plumages; we will actually appreciate to see further recently taken images of the species before the final selection. 4

5 (EUROPEAN) GREENFINCH Image requested: of the nominate C. c. chloris (N/C Europe) only needed are 1stS male and female, and from C. c. chlorotica (S Europe and Levant) only Ad and 1stS breeding females please submit only good images and if you are sure of the age/sex. (EUROPEAN) GOLDFINCH Image requested: 1. CARDUELIS GROUP of much of the WP, we still missing in spring-summer Ad & 1stS females and 1stS male, and in autumn-winter Ad & 1stW females; please submit images only if you are sure of the age and sex! 2. CANICEPS GROUP of the so-called Grey-headed Goldfinch, with race paropanisi (NE Iran to Kazakhstan), and ultima (Fars district in SC Iran): we have already few images from Iran (taken by one of the most talent photographer that we know, E. Winkel, and which often photographing birds and plumages that no others can even reach!), but we very much hope and appreciate to receive more images of all plumages of this distinctive and potentially split form! (EURASIAN) SISKIN Image requested: fresh Ad female in autumn-winter (please submit only if you sure of the age!); also juv. (COMMON) LINNET Image requested: despite being a widespread WP bird we are not doing very well with the aim of extensive plumage coverage for it. From the nominate race, C. c. cannabina (Europe roughly south to Pyrenees, N Italy, & N Balkans), we are missing 1stS male and female, and nearly all the autumn-winter plumages are missing or could be improved; we will also appreciate to see more material for the races C. c. mediterranea (of the outer Canaries, NW Africa, Spain, N & C Itay and SE Europe), and the C. c. harterti (Canaries, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote), as well as from darkest/smallest form C. c. guentheri (Portugal, Madeira). From the dull race C. c. bella (Asia Minor, Crimea, Levant, Caucasus region east through N Iran and Central Asia) we still need all the autumn-winter plumages, including Ads and 1stWs (both sexes). YEMEN LINNET Image requested: we have already few usable images from Yemen, but we will appreciate to receive more images of all plumages (and especially of fresh plumages), of this poorly known species, and which we hope to illustrate most of its plumages! TWITE Image requested: - Nominate C. f. flavirostris (NW Fenno-Scandia, mainly in Norway): we are doing rather OK, but still missing 1stY birds (both sexes and in all seasons); also juv is needed. - C. f. pipilans (British Isles): unfortunately we have almost nothing of this population, so we will appreciate at least to receive good images of male and female in spring-summer, and also fresh autumnwinter birds from Scotland, England and Ireland (if the race can be securely identified). - C. f. brevirostris (NE Turkey, Caucasus, Transcaucasia, NW Iran, and eastwards): we have a number of images that can be used, but will like to see more recent taken and high quality images of this distinctive form (all ages, sexes and in all seasons). (COMMON) REDPOLL Image requested: - C. f. flammea, the so-called MEALY REDPOLL (N & C Fenno-Scandia, Russia, Siberia, North America except Baffin Island; possibly also NW Scotland): we have all plumages, but could improve SPRING-SUMMER Ad male and AUTUMN-WINTER Ad female (please send only high quality images and if you are sure of the age!). - C. f. cabaret, the so-called LESSER REDPOLL (British Isles, continental Europe from N France through low countries, Germany and to Baltic states, S Scandinavia; also in Alps and Czech mountains): we are still missing or could improve the SPRING-SUMMER Ad male & female, and also the AUTUMN-WINTER Ad male & female, as well as 1sW male (please send only high quality images and if you are sure of the age!). - C. f. rostrata, the so-called GREATER REDPOLL (S Greenland, Baffin Island; often winters Iceland): we have nothing of this form, so we will appreciate to include at least breeding male and female. - C. f. islandica (Iceland): only need is breeding female. ARCTIC REDPOLL Image requested: - C. h. exilipes, the so-called COUES REDPOLL (N Fenno-Scandia, N Russia, N Siberia, etc): we have some useful and nice images already in the collection but still appreciate to see more before the final collection. Still, however, most needed are late spring and summer birds, including nice colourful male. Also ad (both sexes) autumn/early-winter birds are still missing, as well as juv. - C. h. hornemanni, the so-called HORNEMANN S REDPOLL (the large/pale Greenland form): we have only few but very nice images of birds identified as this taxon during autumn in Scotland/England and Holland, thus we will appreciate to see more images of such records and especially if the images can show clearer age/sex variation. However, we are especially need images of birds photographed in Greenland (all seasons and of all age/sex classes). TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL Image requested: Ad male in autumn-winter only! COMMON CROSSBILL Image requested: we have already all plumages to illustrate the nominate/european race very well, but still will be happy to see further high quality images toward the final selection (but especially of 1stW & 1stS males). However, we have nothing of the following races, L. c. poliogyna (N Tunisia, Algeria), and the very large-billed form L. c. guillemardi (Cyprus, much of Turkey and Caucasus, SW Crimea), and we hope to get material of the basic plumages of these two, at least male and female. SCOTTISH CROSSBILL Image requested: we have only two useable images of females. Thus, plumages of all seasons, of all age/sex classes are needed! 5

6 PARROT CROSSBILL Image requested: we have already many of the basic plumages to illustrate the species rather well, but still will be happy to see further high quality images of all plumages, but the ones that need most improvements or are completely missing are: SPRING-SUMMER Ad male, AUTUMN- WINTER Ad female, 1sW male & female, as well as juv. CRIMSON-WINGED FINCH Image requested: in SPRING-SUMMER Ad female only; in AUTUMN- WINTER (fresh) Ads & 1sWs of both sexes, as well as juv. ATLAS CRIMSON-WINGED FINCH Image requested: in SPRING-SUMMER 1stS male & female; in AUTUMN-WINTER (fresh) Ad female, and 1sW male & female, as well as juv. DESERT FINCH Image requested: all (fresh) AUTUMN/early WINTER plumages, including Ads and 1stWs of both sexes. MONGOLIAN FINCH Image requested: we have only satisfying images to illustrate male and female in early summer, but nothing more! Thus, we will appreciate to receive more good images of all plumages from all seasons, but in particularly birds in fresh autumn/early winter plumages, as well as the dullest patterned birds to illustrate confusing risks etc! Also juv plumage is missing. TRUMPETER FINCH Image requested: from the western race B. g. zedlitzi (S Spain, Morocco, West Sahara, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, N Egypt) we are ONLY looking for good images of breeding Ad male and female (specifically in March-May), and also in fresh autumn-early winter plumages (Sep-Dec); also juv of any race. We are complete with images for the Middle Eastern race B. g. crassirostris but you welcome to submit images if you convinced that you have a supper amazing ones that could be improve the presentations COMMON ROSEFINCH Image requested: for both recognized races, C. e. erythrinus (N & E Europe, W Siberia), and the C. e. kubanensis (NE Turkey, Caucasus, Transcaucasia east to N Iran, and eastwards) we need Ad breeding females, and all plumages during the autumn migrations, but especially Ads (worn, before moult) male and female; also juv. SINAI ROSEFINCH Image requested: ONLY partial-red 1stS male in late-winter, spring and summer; also juv. GREAT ROSEFINCH Image requested: partial-red 1stS male in spring-summer; also all plumages in fresh condition during autumn/early winter (Ad and 1stW, of both sexes), as well as juv. PINE GROSBEAK Image requested: ONLY juv. (COMMON) BULLFINCH Image requested: - P. p. pyrrhula (Fenno-Scandia, to EC Europe): only fresh AUTUMN/early-WINTER Ad male & female. - P. p. europoea (British Isles, Denmark, Germany, SW Poland, west of pyrrhula and south to France and Italy; perhaps N & W Switzerland): we still need top highly quietly images of this widespread race, at least male and female (both Ads and 1stYs). - P. p. iberiae (N Iberia including Pyrenees except northern slopes): just male and female, for possible inclusion. - P. p. rossikowi (N Asia Minor, Caucasus and east to NW Iran): just male and female, for possible inclusion. AZORES BULLFINCH Image requested: we have already some useable images but more highly quietly images will be welcome for assessment toward the final selection! HAWFINCH Image requested: ONLY good quietly images of 1stW male & female in late autumn. WHITE-WINGED GROSBEAK Image requested: we have already some satisfying images to illustrate the species, but we will appreciate to receive more good images of all plumages from all seasons, but in particularly birds in fresh autumn/early winter plumages. We are lacking fresh/autumn Ad female and also 1stS male; also juv plumage is missing. 25. New World warblers, New World sparrows and juncos: BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER Image requested: ONLY autumn birds, including 1stWs & Ads of both sexes, with images can be from the Americans, but we will be happy also to receive good quietly images of vagrants taken in Europe, which will be nice add! TENNESSEE WARBLER Image requested: Ad female in spring, and in autumn fresh Ad female, and 1stW (images can be from the Americans, but we will be happy also to receive good quietly images of vagrants taken in Europe). NORTHERN PARULA Image requested: in spring Ad female (worn) and autumn (fresh); and in autumn also 1stWs (both sexes). Images can be from the Americans, but we will be happy also to receive good quietly images of vagrants taken in Europe. YELLOW WARBLER Image requested: we do have good image of 1stW female, so for autumn plumages (where we will balance much of the photographic demonstration) we are hope to get Ad & 1stW males and Ad female; we still not have good images from spring, and so we hope to receive Ad male and female, and 1stS male. Images can be from the Americans, but only of the races D. a. aestiva (of S Canada, NC & NE USA, east from Great Plains south to c.33 N) and D. a. amnicola (N of aestiva, from Newfoundland west to NE British Columbia, Yukon territory and C Alaska). Nevertheless, we will be most happy to include good quietly images of vagrants taken in Europe. BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER Image requested: we do have a good Ad male in autumn, so for autumn plumages we are still hope to get Ad female and 1stW (both sexes). In spring we are OK with males, so 6

7 only need to show female. Images can be from the Americans, but we will be happy also to receive good quietly images of vagrants taken in Europe. MYRTLE WARBLER Image requested: we do have some good images of certain plumages, but still missing or need improvements for Ad male & female in autumn; also in spring-summer Ad female and 1stS male. Images can be from the Americans, but we will be happy also to receive good quietly images of vagrants taken in Europe. BLACKPOLL WARBLER Image requested: we do have some good images of certain plumages, but still missing or need improvements for Ad male & female in autumn; also in spring-summer Ad male & female and 1stS male. Images can be from the Americans, but we will be happy also to receive good quietly images of vagrants taken in Europe. AMERICAN REDSTART Image requested: we do have some good images of certain plumages, but still missing or need improvements for Ad male & female and 1stW female in autumn; also in spring-summer Ad female. Images can be from the Americans, but we will be happy also to receive good quietly images of vagrants taken in Europe. NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH Image requested: Ad & 1stW in autumn. Images can be from the Americans, but we will be happy also to receive good quietly images of vagrants taken in Europe. COMMON YELLOWTHROAT Image requested: we do have good images of 1stW male, so for autumn plumages (where we will balance much of the photographic demonstration) we are hope to get Ad male and Ad & 1stW females; we still looking also for better spring-summer male and female, and 1stS male. Images can be from eastern Canada/US. Nevertheless, we will be most happy to include more good quietly images of vagrants taken in Europe. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW Image requested: 1sW in AUTUMN-WINTER, only of nominate and preferable of WP records (good quality images). WHITE-THROATED SPARROW Image requested: fresh Ad & 1sW in AUTUMN/early-WINTER, and preferable of WP records (good quality images). DARK-EYED JUNCO Image requested: still need a major improvement, for all seasons and variations (including Ad & 1stY birds both in Autumn-Winter and in Spring-Summer). Images can be from the Americans, but only of the nominate race (NE USA, parts of Canada, and Alaska). Nevertheless, we will be most happy to include more good quietly images of vagrants taken in Europe. 26. Buntings: SNOW BUNTING Image requested: - 1. From the Icelandic and the N Scottish race, P. n. insulae, we will appreciate to receive all range of non-breeding/winter plumages, but especially of images taken in Iceland, and mainly of autumn-winter plumages of Ads and 1stWs of both sexes From the Siberian & NE Russian race P. n. vlasowae, we still need images of both breeding and nonbreeding plumages. Since this race, however, is more likely to reach as a vagrant to the WP in nonbreeding plumages we will especially appreciate images from autumn-winter, and especially if it shows that the fresh plumages are typically sullied more buff-white, less rufous- or ochre-tinged. LAPLAND BUNTING Image requested: we have already good selection for much of the plumage variation, but could be improve the autumn/early-winter Ads and 1stWs of both sexes please send only good quality images, and preferably images that could illustrate the age/sex variation at this time of the year. PINE BUNTING Image requested: for spring-summer (BREEDING) plumages still needed is 1stS male; for autumn-winter (NON-BREEDING) still needed are Ad female and much improvements for 1stW female; also juv is needed. YELLOWHAMMER Image requested: for spring-summer (BREEDING) plumages still needed are 1stS male & female; for autumn-winter (NON-BREEDING) still needed is Ad female only; also juv is needed. CIRL BUNTING Image requested: for spring-summer (BREEDING) plumages still needed is Ad female; for autumn/early-winter (NON-BREEDING) all plumages are needed, including Ads and 1stWs of both sexes. ROCK BUNTING Image requested: - 1. E. c. cia (C & S Europe except SW Iberia, NW Africa, W Central Asia, Levant): for spring-summer (BREEDING) plumages still needed are Ad & 1stS females; for autumn/early-winter (NON-BREEDING) all plumages are needed, including Ads and 1stWs of both sexes E. c. callensis (Portugal, S Spain): only good image of female E. c. par (Crimea, NE Turkey, Caucasus, Transcaucasia, S Levant, S Middle East, Iraq, Iran, S Central Asia): for spring-summer (BREEDING) plumage still needed is Ad female; for autumn/earlywinter (NON-BREEDING) all plumages are needed, including Ads and 1stWs of both sexes. STRIATED BUNTING Image requested: for spring-summer plumages still needed are a nice Ad & 1stS males; for autumn/early-winter only Ad female; also juv. Any recently taken high quality images will be welcome for check. HOUSE BUNTING Image requested: for spring-summer plumages still needed are 1stS males & female; for autumn/early-winter all plumages are needed, including Ads and 1stWs of both sexes; also juv. AFRICAN HOUSE BUNTING Image requested: NON-BREEDING Ad male & female, and 1sW male in very fresh plumage (after post-breeding/-juv moults); also juv. Please submit images of only of the S 7

8 Arabian endemic race, E. t. arabica. Please note that the species in S Arabia can breed all year around and the fresh plumages that we are looking for can be found after the end of the rain seasons. CHESTNUT BUNTING Image requested: good images of all plumages (Ads and young of both sexes, in all main seasons) are badly needed! We have only one rather good Ad male in spring and also very good 1stS/imm male, but nothing more! SMYRNA BUNTING Image requested: unfortunately we only have (but very good) images of BREEDING Ad & 1stS males, and only one female (possibly of this taxon), thus for spring-summer plumages we still need Ad and 1stS females from the breeding ground of semenowi; we also have nothing of the poorly known autumn-early winter plumages so, all fresh NON-BREEDING plumages are badly needed (!!!), including Ads and 1stWs of both sexes! Also juv is needed. CINEREOUS BUNTING Image requested: here again, sadly we only have very good images of BREEDING plumaged Ad & 1stS males, and only two females (possibly of this taxon), thus for springsummer plumages we still need Ad and 1stS females from the breeding ground of cineracea. Too bad is the situation with the poorly known autumn-early winter plumages, of which we have nothing of so, all fresh NON-BREEDING plumages are badly needed (!!!), including Ads and 1stWs of both sexes! Also juv is needed. ORTOLAN BUNTING Image requested: for spring-summer (BREEDING) plumages still needed are Ad & 1stS females; for autumn (NON-BREEDING) all plumages are needed, including Ads and 1stWs of both sexes; also juv is needed. CRETZSCHMAR'S BUNTING Image requested: we are doing extremely well with spring-summer (BREEDING) plumages so please do not send any images from this period. However, for autumn (NON- BREEDING) all plumages are still needed, including Ads and 1stWs of both sexes which we hope to get good number of them for both extensive coverage of the variation and ID pitfalls. Also juv is needed. GREY-NECKED BUNTING Image requested: the collection is doing well with spring-summer (BREEDING) plumages, and we full of many good images of males (please do not send more of the latter!), but still need improvements for Ad & 1stS females. As for autumn (FRESH/NON-BREEDING) plumages, ALL are still needed, including Ads and 1stWs of both sexes that we hope to get good number of them! Also juv is needed. LITTLE BUNTING Image requested: in spring-summer (BREEDING) only needed is female; for autumn (NON-BREEDING) only fresh Ad birds (we have many good 1stWs and many birds that are impossible to age, so a good images of clear cases of fresh Ad will be welcome). RUSTIC BUNTING Image requested: high quality images of BREEDING Ad male & female (still crisply patterned and coloured, i.e. not too worn sometimes in April-June). As for fresh autumn plumages, we do have nice set of images from that period and only completely lacking is Ad female. However, we will be happy to see more high quality images of autumn/early-winter (NON-BREEDING) plumages, and especially if images can show clearer age/sex variations. Also juv is needed. YELLOW-BROWED BUNTING Image requested: good images of all plumages (Ads and young of both sexes, in all main seasons) are badly needed! However, we will especially appreciate images of autumn/early-winter (NON-BREEDING) plumages since these are the more prospective plumages to reach the WP region! YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTING Image requested: still many plumages are missing or need improvements! In spring-summer (BREEDING) only needed are females (Ad/older and 1stS); for autumn/early-winter (NON-BREEDING) plumages we will be happy to see more high quality images coming in, including Ads and 1stWs of both sexes. Also juv is needed. BLACK-FACED BUNTING Image requested: most fresh NON-BREEDING plumages are still needed (!!!), including Ads and 1stWs of both sexes! We will be most happy to include more good quietly images of vagrants taken in Europe. (COMMON) REED BUNTING Image requested: from the main European race (nominate, E. s. schoeniclus) only needing is improvement for juv. However, from the three distinctive forms of the LARGE-BILLED GROUP there are still many plumages missing or which need improvements, including E. s. intermedia (Italy south of Piemonte and foothills to Alps, N Balkans, E Austria, Hungary, Romania, S Ukraine, W Caucasus, apparently also north central coast of Turkey, possibly also interior Anatolia), E. s. caspia (E Turkey, Transcaucasia, E Iraq, Kuwait, S Caspian region, W Iran), and E. s. pyrrhuloides (N and NW Caspian region incl. Kalmuk steppe and lower Volga, Aral Sea, Central Asia south of Kirghiz steppe east to Balkhash region): for spring-summer (BREEDING) we hope at least to receive good Ad male and female for each of these races; and for autumn/early-winter (NON-BREEDING) plumages we will be happy to see images that could illustrate Ads and 1stWs of both sexes! PALLAS'S REED BUNTING Image requested: for spring-summer (BREEDING) plumages only needed is good Ad male; and for autumn/early-winter (NON-BREEDING) plumages we will be happy to see good images that could illustrate the four main variations, including Ads and 1stWs of both sexes! RED-HEADED BUNTING Image requested: only birds during autumn migration (after partial post breeding moults), including Ad male and female and 1sWs; also juv. We not need any more images from the spring-summer or winter. BLACK-HEADED BUNTING Image requested: only birds during autumn migration (after partial post breeding moults), including Ad male and female and 1sWs; also juv. We not need any more images from the spring-summer or winter. 8

9 CORN BUNTING Image requested: ONLY some fresh autumn birds. ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK Image requested: Ad female (spring and autumn). We actually will also be happy to check further high quality images of W European vagrants. BOBOLINK Image requested: nice spring-summer male and female (we have enough autumn birds). BALTIMORE ORIEOLE Image requested: good images of all plumages, including Ad & 1stY of both sexes in both autumn and in spring-summer. - end - 9