Dunnock and Alpine, Siberian and Black-throated Accentors ID PHOTO GUIDE

1 First-winter Siberian Accentor (Scousburgh, Mainland Shetland, 9 October 2016). Siberian Accentor is a striking and beautiful species. The long mustard-coloured supercilia, throat and upper breast combined with dark ear coverts and crown sides are eye catching in the extreme and would certainly raise one’s pulse rate if encountered in Britain.

PROFILE

The dozen species of accentor form an interesting group. Somewhat intermediate between sparrows and warblers or chats, they

4 Autumn adult Siberian Accentor (Hanko, Finland, 18 October 2016). In addition to the mustard-hued supercilia, throat and breast and dark ear coverts and crown sides, look also for the ‘rare bunting’ pale ear covert spot, very weakly marked flanks and strong rusty hues in the upperparts. 5 Autumn adult Black-throated Accentor (Pangot, India, 17 December 2007). The long creamy supercilia and breast recall Siberian Accentor, but the fore-supercilia are strikingly narrow and, most obviously, the dark ear coverts extend forward below the lores to cover the entire chin and throat. The cold, pale straw hues in the upperparts are a further distinction from Siberian Accentor, as is the contrast between the creamy breast and whiter belly.