Does anyone know what species these might be?

[ccx001]

I live on the edge of the West Midlands. I saw a very unusual event this morning. About twenty birds descended on a tree at the rear of my garden, took off and landed on another then disappeared again. They were no larger than blackbirds, maybe a little smaller, were dark brown on top with light gree chests and a light coloured crest, no larger than the head. I couldn't see any other colours, but they were a little distance. Does anyone know what these were?

[Astra]

They might have been a flock of Waxwings as they have a crest on their head.

I can't think of anything with a light green chest though.

[ron1863]

Hi and a warm welcome to WAB. It's got me stumped, I though Fieldfare or Redwing but the crest has thrown me. Someone will come up with the answer though.

[Jason Green]

My first thought was Waxwing too on the basis of the crest - no idea what else, though - unless it was a mixed bunch including a couple of greenfinches?!

Welcome to WAB, by the way!

[ccx001]

Originally Posted by Astra

They might have been a flock of Waxwings as they have a crest on their head.

I can't think of anything with a light green chest though.

Hi. Thanks for all your fast responses, although I'm sorry, I may have confused you, I mistyped. It should've been light grey chests not 'light gree'. There's a big difference!

[earthdragon64]

The crest does sound more like a Waxwing than anything else. Waxwings love eating berries, are there trees or bushes with berries in or near where they were? Here's one I took earlier.

[ccx001]

[quote=earthdragon64;442408]The crest does sound more like a Waxwing than anything else. Waxwings love eating berries, are there trees or bushes with berries in or near where they were? Here's one I took earlier.


Hi. One of the trees was a Hawthorn, though neither has growth yet. Maybe that's why they only landed for a few seconds.

[SheffieldPete]

The waxwing is the only British bird of that size that has a crest, and I think fits the description fairly well.

[ccx001]

Originally Posted by SheffieldPete

The waxwing is the only British bird of that size that has a crest, and I think fits the description fairly well.

Thanks. I've read they don't usually fly this far West though.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by ccx001

Thanks. I've read they don't usually fly this far West though.

They can turn up anywhere though + there's very little else like this, so should be Waxwings.