Turkey Wheatear/Bunting ID help

[jacob drucker]

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Over the summer, my family went on a trip to Turkey. As a North American birder, I am not entirely familiar with the birds of the region, and I got by fine except for two instances: First off, while at the Pammukale site in south-west/central Turkey, at about 400m in elevation, I encountered two seperate buntings, behaving in a similar matter, but appeared slightly different. One appeared more like a cretzchmar's, with rustier tertials and sides, but the head pattern was not seen well. The second bird seemed "earthier" and was only about 50m apart from the first one, raising doubt on my thoughts of the first. Any confirmation of these birds species would be much appreciated.(will send photos to those interested)
 
I also encountered 1 wheatear individual that I had just assumed was a heavily worn Alt. plumage black-eared wheaear male, but when I returned to my pictures yesterday, some doubt arose about this ID. As compared to the field guides, it showed the pack battern of a very heavily worn Pied Wheatear, as well as extensive, rich buff in the underparts. However, I orginially ruled out Pied because of how the black throat was almost completely seperate (I say almost because of the presence of a darker smudge that may or may not be the remnant of the black that was there) from the mantle and flanks. Also, returning to my old photos, I noticed the black in the tip of the tail was uncannily dark tipped for a Black-eared. The bird associated with what I assumed was a female of its species, as well as a present female northern wheatear, and the habitat was in a dry, arid gorge in central Turkey. I have photos of this bird and the buntings, but I don't have a website with a link to follow. As I don't want to flood everyone's inboxes, email me if you're interested in helping, and I'll send you the photos.

Thanks in advance,
Jacob Drucker

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[Lee G R Evans]

Jacob

 

If you email me your images, I will try and work out the identification for you

 

All the very best

 

Lee G R Evans
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