Unidentified garden bird

[woosh]

Hi All

Had this visitor in the garden this afternoon. Can anyone help identify him/her please?





Thanks

Ian

[Hedge Witch]

Hi, it's a female Blackbird

[Jason Green]

...the first photo I believe shows the bird with black tail feathers, but varying brown shades towards the front. I'm going to go all controversial and say I think first-generation juvenile male gaining adult plumage

[woosh]

Hi There

Seemed very large for a female blackbird and did'nt sound like one either. Made a noise similar to rook?

Ian

[Hedge Witch]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

...the first photo I believe shows the bird with black tail feathers, but varying brown shades towards the front. I'm going to go all controversial and say I think first-generation juvenile male gaining adult plumage

Oh yes, I never thought of this. Jason has a point.

But it's definitely a Blackbird

[poohbear]

Can't be mistaken for a rook...nowhere near the same size.Pop over to your local rookery and see the difference.

[agrumpycow]

Certainly looks like a juvenile blackbird to me (and definitely not a rook )

[Jenny W]

I would have to say it's a juvenile Blackbird based on the very speckled apperence of the body feathers, although older females can display speckled plumage it is not usually anywhere near as extensive as this. However, in a young bird at this time of year (no chance of having gone through post-juv moult) I would expect a more speckled apperence on the head, nape, upper back and lesser and median coverts.

As for sexing, even though the tail feathers do look darker than the rest of the plumage I would not like to call it at this stage. Even in the hand at this time of year it can be hard to tell.

[woosh]

Thanks for all the replies all. I wasn't saying that it was a rook, it just made rook like noises..if that makes sense

Not sure if these pictures will help any more?










The statue in the second picture stands 12" high, the bird must have stood 7-8" high. Just seemed too big for a blackbird? Or is it me again

Thanks

Ian

[agrumpycow]

Sounds like the right height for a blackbird