Blackbirds with brown heads?

[helen253]

Evening all!

For the last three weeks or so, my garden has been frequented by a bird I haven't seen before...it's approximately the same size, colour and shape as a male blackbird but distinctively has a totally brown head like a female, plumage is also a little scraggy...I had wondered if it was a juvenile male blackbird midway between colour changes (if indeed that is what they do!) but it hasn't changed further over the last three weeks, I can't find anything in the galleries even slightly similar and the only results when i google is for a cowbird which is obviously not native to this country.

No clear pictures as yet but I could lurk about and try to get one if it would help...

(As an aside, the first time I saw the bird it was when we were digging in the garden and had unearthed a frog and two toads, the bird landed to scavenge some woodlice and the frog began hopping menacingly towards the bird, almost hitting it twice and then actually landing on the poor bird and scaring it up into the tree. *so* wish i'd had a video camera with me)

Anyway, if anyone could help identify my frankenstein-like visitor, I'd appreciate it! Many thanks in advance

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Sounds like a Juv male Blackbird getting his first adult plumage

[paulchandler6]

Hi,

Definitely a Blackbird. Probably a 1st year bird moulting into its 1st winter plumage.

Paul

[2dogs2000]

I saw one like this at the same time last year. I assumed it was a young male blackbird getting its adult plumage. I had never seen one like it before either. I managed to get a rather poor quality photo and have included it for comparison.

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ga.../4/0/blackbird

[2dogs2000]

Ok I got the link wrong.
I will master it one day.




Hope this one works

[helen253]

Thank you very much! He's a funny little thing and I'll miss being able to recognise him when he visits...

[jdurbo]

I noticed fri that there is a blackbird here changing colour but it has white/grey specks on its head. i will try a get a picture!

jen xxx

[Hawk]

ive notice oddly coloured blackbirds in my garden before.
i think its just young birds moulting into their adult feathers

[naturelover]

the one in the picture looks rather strange to me there feathers useually change all over not leave a brown head like that,almost looks like blackbird cross thrush,very strange.

[Lance Morgan]

certainly looks more thrush than blackbird a melanic form perhaps

[Cazzie]

I think the definition is more obvious on a juv male rather than a female blackbird. Having said that, the starlings are doing just the same atm - lots of glorious spotty irridescent plumage and a brown head lol!

[jdurbo]

It really does look quite odd though.
jen xxx

[aeshna5]

Not a Song Thrush, but a juvenile male Blackbird, though I agree don't often see such a brown head with such a dark body.