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26-10-2007, 09:45 AM
| | Active Member | | Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 45
| | | Can you help me identify a bird?
I've seen it several times now whilst walking the dog. It is a small bird about 12-13cm slightly smaller than a sparrow. I think it's always been alone, and it twitches its tail.
It has a solid black head and the body the colour of a cross between a bullfinch/chaffinch (orangy reddy!). It has a distinctive white collar on it's neck seperating it's black head from body.
I can't find a picture of one anywhere...does anyone know what it is?
thanks |
26-10-2007, 09:55 AM
| | Frozen | | Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 53
| | | Re: Can you help me identify a bird?
It sounds a bit like a Coal tit or possibly one of the other members of this family . |
26-10-2007, 09:56 AM
|  | Wild Member | | Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Carnoustie, Angus
Posts: 243
| | | Re: Can you help me identify a bird?
Yes, also possibly a great tit?
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26-10-2007, 09:57 AM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ipswich
Posts: 830
| | | Re: Can you help me identify a bird?
One of these? 
Stonechat, pic by "sometimes"
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26-10-2007, 10:02 AM
| | Active Member | | Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 45
| | | Re: Can you help me identify a bird?
Hi thanks for all your replies. Definatley not a coal or a great tit, because I recognise them.
The stonechat, it could be. I did look at the stonechat and thought 'that's the closest' yesterday in my book.
The one I saw flicked his tail and the tail looked more pointed upward and the white neck seemed to go all the way round. I'll look out for him again... |
26-10-2007, 10:05 AM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ipswich
Posts: 830
| | | Re: Can you help me identify a bird?
What part of the country are you in, and what sort of habitat? (sorry, should have asked that first  )
T2
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26-10-2007, 10:08 AM
| | Active Member | | Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 45
| | | Re: Can you help me identify a bird?
Oxfordshire, this was in Berkshire. On farmland, on the ridgeway... |
26-10-2007, 10:19 AM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: South Oxfordshire
Posts: 1,379
| | | Re: Can you help me identify a bird?
Have seen Stonechat on the Ridgeway in both Berks and Oxon at all times of year so it could be that. 
Paul
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26-10-2007, 10:22 AM
| | Active Member | | Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 45
| | | Re: Can you help me identify a bird?
Thanks Paul. I'm going up there again later, I think you and tursiops2 are right it is probably a stonechat. It just didn't quite look like the bird in the picture. I'm going to take my camera this time... |
26-10-2007, 11:05 AM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: South Oxfordshire
Posts: 1,379
| | | Re: Can you help me identify a bird?
Good luck, if its a female or 1st winter bird it will look different. You may find more than one.
Paul
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26-10-2007, 07:36 PM
| | Frozen | | Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 9
| | | Re: Can you help me identify a bird?
Sounds like a coal tit or great tit but not sure... |
26-10-2007, 09:16 PM
| | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: East Sussex
Posts: 384
| | | Re: Can you help me identify a bird?
Stonechats bob their tail frequently....Could be a juv? |
27-10-2007, 08:36 PM
| | Active Member | | Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 48
| | | Re: Can you help me identify a bird?
The 2 birds pictured are diferent colours,because the first is male,the second female ,bobbo |
27-10-2007, 11:03 PM
| | Active Member | | Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 45
| | | Re: Can you help me identify a bird?
Looking at the 2 pictures, the male and female are totally different! The one I saw was definately like the first one, with a black head. He did bob his tail too...I looked out for him today, but he was being shy... |
28-10-2007, 10:46 AM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: West Molesey, Surrey
Posts: 1,518
| | | Re: Can you help me identify a bird?
Sounds like a male Reed Bunting.
Cheers,
Adam
Oops didn't read all the thread! |
28-10-2007, 11:23 AM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Perthshire, Scotland
Posts: 1,055
| | | Re: Can you help me identify a bird?
What about a Wheatear?
Here's a great shot of one by Kev Lewis from the gallery. 
Or what about a male whinchat? I'm afraid I couldn't find a photo of one in the gallery.
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www.scottishnaturephotography.com
Last edited by Wolfhill; 28-10-2007 at 11:26 AM.
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28-10-2007, 01:15 PM
| | Active Member | | Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 45
| | | Re: Can you help me identify a bird?
Thanks for the pic, it's not a Wheatear. Just had a look at the male reed bunting and it is similar, but mine had an orangy body...
Perhaps I saw a cross between a Reed Bunting and a Stonechat  |
29-10-2007, 12:22 AM
|  | Wild Member | | Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: chorley lancashire
Posts: 216
| | | Re: Can you help me identify a bird?
Hi animalb
I,m new to the wab pages but from what youve described it sounds like a male reed bunting. they tend to be sat out on top of shrubs and small bushes and as the name suggests on reeds. the colour on the back is a reddish brown. best advise i can give is take a copy of the collins bird guide with you,i never leave home without mine.also check out stonechat
Last edited by dunlin; 29-10-2007 at 12:28 AM.
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29-10-2007, 09:42 AM
| | Active Member | | Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 45
| | | Re: Can you help me identify a bird?
Hi Dunlin,
I've taken a look at 'google images' for a reed bunting and came across this picture: http://www.communigate.co.uk/hants/i...irds/phpKCBovJ
I'm pretty sure the bird I saw was the one in the top right hand corner!
Looks like Tursiops2's stonechat photo, but pudgier and redder.
I keyed in 'reed bunting' but this is a stonechat - is that right?
I have a very ancient collins 'birds of britain' but this bird still stumped me, as I didn't see an exact likeness.
Thanks |
29-10-2007, 12:39 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ipswich
Posts: 830
| | | Re: Can you help me identify a bird?
Quote:
Originally Posted by animalb  Hi Dunlin,
I've taken a look at 'google images' for a reed bunting and came across this picture: http://www.communigate.co.uk/hants/i...irds/phpKCBovJ
I'm pretty sure the bird I saw was the one in the top right hand corner! Looks like Tursiops2's stonechat photo, but pudgier and redder.
I keyed in 'reed bunting' but this is a stonechat - is that right?
I have a very ancient collins 'birds of britain' but this bird still stumped me, as I didn't see an exact likeness.
Thanks | Not my photo (I wish ), it came from the gallery.
Try searching for both birds in the WAB gallery, there are plenty of pics of both to compare.
T2
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29-10-2007, 10:01 PM
| | Wild Member | | Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: chorley lancashire
Posts: 216
| | | Re: Can you help me identify a bird?
Hi animalb
Sorry about the late reply ive just got in from work.The bird in the picture top right is a stonechat, if it looked bigger it could be due to the bird being cold and fluffing out its feathers.
They sound like 2 pebbles knocking together when they call and you usually see them sat on top of gorse bushes and the like.
The collins book i refered to is the one with the black cover with a barn owl on the front... |
30-10-2007, 08:14 AM
| | Active Member | | Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 45
| | | Re: Can you help me identify a bird?
Thanks Dunlin. This morning I saw him again and it was definately a stonechat! He was high up on a wooden post, he always seems to be alone. It's funny how when you study a bird (as I have been looking at pictures etc on the net and here) he becomes instantly recognisable!
I will put a new collins bird guide on my list to santa... | | |
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