Bird ID Please

Mungo · #1 (**permalink**) 08-01-2009, 05:18 PM

Is this a firecrest?

specimin · #2 (**permalink**) 08-01-2009, 05:22 PM

This is a Goldcrest.

Well done on getting a picture, they're always on the go!

KeenTeen17 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-01-2009, 05:23 PM

agreed

Mungo · #4 (**permalink**) 08-01-2009, 05:25 PM

Wow - thanks for the fast replies.

May I ask how to distinguish between the two?

galanthus · #5 (**permalink**) 08-01-2009, 05:29 PM

A firecrest has a dark eye stripe, I always remember it by thinking of the bird sitting by a fire and having carbon smudged on his eye with a twig.

Mungo · #6 (**permalink**) 08-01-2009, 05:32 PM

Thank you galanthus, I will remember this too

Dae · #7 (**permalink**) 08-01-2009, 05:43 PM

I always find firecrest more colorful than goldcrests, having stripe through the eye, white stripe above the eye, greenish shoulders, etc. Goldcrest are pretty plain colored (but still fabulous) in comparison.

diggleken · #8 (**permalink**) 08-01-2009, 07:19 PM

I think the most distinguishing feature in the field is the white supercilium (eye stripe) - it hits you more than other features and is diagnostic once you know its gold/firecrest.

Ken

aeshna5 · #9 (**permalink**) 08-01-2009, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diggleken

I think the most distinguishing feature in the field is the white supercilium (eye stripe) - it hits you more than other features and is diagnostic once you know its gold/firecrest.

Ken

To be pedantic eyestripe is not the same as supercilium. Firecrest has a black eye stripe with a white supecilium ABOVE the eye stripe.