Teeny tiny little magpie

[RobinP]

Not very likely but Rosy Starling fits the description, will be interesting to see the photo.

[Dutchess]

As Robin said, Rosy Starling seems to fit the bill (no pun). However, looking at piccies of Merv, it can be seen that he has a black back, carrying down from the head over his shoulders, whereas the Rosy doesn't, it is white.

Yes Saff, a photo or two would be great

(Jason, we've been here before I believe, re. Pied Wagtails and baby Magpies?? lol! )

D.

[Jason Green]

Dawny: Yes, coming back! I wonder if it's still in my Subscriptions folder... I think I embarrased myself somewhat! No change there then

[Dutchess]

J, you have guts and come forward with suggestions. Much to be admired! Don't change

D. x

[Jason Green]

I won't change (no hope, you see ), but what did I say, then? Getting curious...

[davidbr]

I've never seen nor heard of a Magpie varying in size by this sort of amount, so no offence meant but (a bit like when people report seeing Nessie or Bigfoot...) I'd want a bloody good picture, with something in it for scale comparison, before I'll become a believer that there's a half-sized Magpie on the loose

So I've been trying to think of anything smaller that could be confused with a Magpie, even at a real push. It'd need more than a push to mistake a Rose-coloured Starling for one, so the only thing I've come up with is the Black-and-White Munia (Lonchura bicolor), a Central African finch that's kept (though not as commonly as others) in the cage-bird trade.

There's a few decent photos on Google Image; I've never seen one, wild or captive, but it looks to be about the size of a Chaffinch. It's certainly more than conceivable an escapee could be at large

[Jason Green]

David, I've just looked up B&WM - File:Black-and-white Mannikin (Lonchura bicolor).jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - and it has a huge and obvious red patch on the wings, if this is the bird you mean. This is unmistakably obvious even from a distance, so I doubt this is what she saw or she'd have commented on it

[Saffronica]

Thanks for all your replies so far!

I didn't see the mini magpie and his friends this morning. I tried to listen out for them to see if I can track them but no joy so still no photographic evidence I'm afraid. I will keep trying!

David, the black and white munia is not the bird I saw although it is rather beautiful

I did think it might have been a juvenile magpie but it's too early in the year for that isn't it?

[SheffieldPete]

Birds tend to leave the nest around the same size as the adults so it's not a juvenile - you don't get "child-size" birds!

It could be a runt - it does happen, although their chance of survival is not good.

[Blackdogjnr]

Tee hee, I always did think of Pied Wagtails as mini magpies