Dead bird

[jennyb]

When I came home today I found a beautiful little bird dead outside the door. It has obviously hit the window - a lot of birds have been doing that recently.

However, I had never seen a bird like this one before (I'm not a bird expert) and had to thumb through my book to find out what it is. The closest I can get is Chiffchaff or Willow Warbler but I am not sure which. It was tiny - 11 cms from tip of the beak to tip of the tail, olive brown on back and bright yellow underneath (no white underneath which would probably make it a juvenile, with a yellow stripe above the eye. The legs were a mid-brown.

I could post a photo but it seems a bit disrespectful to do that. Any suggestions which it might be, or would anyone like me to post a photo for the ID?

Jenny

[mrs fish]

Sounds very much like a juve willow warbler, my book says yellow breast?

[paulchandler6]

Could be one of the two you suggested, Willow Warbler is slightly longer than Chiffchaff at 11.5cm. So based just on length could be Chiffchaff. Plumage would fit as well.

[Paul mabbott]

With respect for your concern to being disrespectful - I think a picture is essential. My response to your description is, [b]'goldcrest' [b] but I could be way out as would anyone without a picture. They fly about rather rapidly so are quite likely to bounce onto a window pane.

Originally Posted by jennyb

When I came home today I found a beautiful little bird dead outside the door. It has obviously hit the window - a lot of birds have been doing that recently.

However, I had never seen a bird like this one before (I'm not a bird expert) and had to thumb through my book to find out what it is. The closest I can get is Chiffchaff or Willow Warbler but I am not sure which. It was tiny - 11 cms from tip of the beak to tip of the tail, olive brown on back and bright yellow underneath (no white underneath which would probably make it a juvenile, with a yellow stripe above the eye. The legs were a mid-brown.

I could post a photo but it seems a bit disrespectful to do that. Any suggestions which it might be, or would anyone like me to post a photo for the ID?

Jenny

[mrs fish]

Chiff chaff has black legs, Jenny says the bird has brown legs ?

[jennyb]

Paul, it is definitely not a goldcrest. I would have recognised that.

Here it is...



My book says that the best way to tell the difference between a chiffchaff and a willow warbler is by the song, which is a little difficult under the circumstances!

Jenny

[Dogghound]

Wood warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix ?

[aeshna5]

Looks like a juvenile Willow Warbler- sad end, before it embarked on it's first migration!

[mrs fish]

Wood warbler has clean white underparts and pale pink legs.

[Paul mabbott]

Sorry, yes, of course you would. This certainly looks like one of the larger warblers and, as you say, how can you say when it's not singing? Very sad - even in death, quite beautiful to see close up ....

Originally Posted by jennyb

Paul, it is definitely not a goldcrest. I would have recognised that.
My book says that the best way to tell the difference between a chiffchaff and a willow warbler is by the song, which is a little difficult under the circumstances!

Jenny