Unidentified garden bird

[Catrin]

Having heard it singing from a neighbour's TV antenna this afternoon I'm quite prepared to believe that it is some kind of canary - a very complex song with lots of variation and trills - however, the back does seem to suggest that it is a cross with something else.

I didn't know that canaries could cross with finches, however, a quick google has told me that they are commonly crossed in Europe with goldfinches, siskins and greenfinches - I now understand why you are referring to it as a 'mule'.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. Sorry, but we haven't been able to take any more photos of it this afternoon.

[Tursiops2]

Originally Posted by Catrin

Having heard it singing from a neighbour's TV antenna this afternoon I'm quite prepared to believe that it is some kind of canary - a very complex song with lots of variation and trills - however, the back does seem to suggest that it is a cross with something else.

I didn't know that canaries could cross with finches, however, a quick google has told me that they are commonly crossed in Europe with goldfinches, siskins and greenfinches - I now understand why you are referring to it as a 'mule'.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions. Sorry, but we haven't been able to take any more photos of it this afternoon.

OK, that does seem to rule out any sort of sparrow then

[tcvarlh]

According to my Aunt who breeds the darn things she reckons it could be a strain improver escapee Serinus canaria xx Serinus canaria domestica, she thinks someone is trying for either a Colourbred or a Song. She says she has seen white naped birds before. They are not common and she doesn't like them, she muttered something about 'bloody mustard sparras'. Polly (Aunt) [great name for a bird breeder] says "she could be wrong but that's my best bet, take it or leave it! I've got things to do." Then she put the phone down.

[Dutchess]

Originally Posted by tcvarlh

According to my Aunt who breeds the darn things she reckons it could be a strain improver escapee Serinus canaria xx Serinus canaria domestica, she thinks someone is trying for either a Colourbred or a Song. She says she has seen white naped birds before. They are not common and she doesn't like them, she muttered something about 'bloody mustard sparras'. Polly (Aunt) [great name for a bird breeder] says "she could be wrong but that's my best bet, take it or leave it! I've got things to do." Then she put the phone down.

lol! that's you in a few years time, H!

Oh wait a mo - that's you now!!

D.

[Jonners]

Originally Posted by tcvarlh

According to my Aunt who breeds the darn things she reckons it could be a strain improver escapee Serinus canaria xx Serinus canaria domestica, she thinks someone is trying for either a Colourbred or a Song.

I hope whoever is trying sucks seeds or maybe that's your Aunt Polly

[Dutchess]

Originally Posted by Jonners

I hope whoever is trying sucks seeds or maybe that's your Aunt Polly

OMG! I can't believe you just wrote that, Jonners!

In primary school we had an English test where teacher read out the description of something or someone, and we had to write down the answer as to what or who it was...

Yes, you guessed it! I couldn't for the life of me think of anything or any "one who sucks seeds"!!!!



But then, I hadn't heard of H's Aunt Polly

D.

[Jonners]

Originally Posted by Dutchess

OMG! I can't believe you just wrote that, Jonners!

In primary school we had an English test where teacher read out the description of something or someone, and we had to write down the answer as to what or who it was...

Yes, you guessed it! I couldn't for the life of me think of anything or any "one who sucks seeds"!!!!



But then, I hadn't heard of H's Aunt Polly

D.

LOL. Head hung in shame!

[Catrin]

Thanks to everyone who has been trying to help me solve this puzzle.
I have followed up tcvarlh's comments and come up with an image here - which has a lot of similarities - particularly the red around the eyes.

I have to admit that I wonder if this bird is some kind of cross that hasn't worked quite as well as the breeder hoped - because the white wing patterning and the nape are assymetric.

We have managed a couple more photos from the other side - although I'm not sure how much they can help.





My son took this one this afternoon:



Given what people have said so far, and the evidence of the song - which I can hear a lot of the time, even when I can't see the bird - I'm going with some kind of escaped canary. However; if it is some kind of cross breed with (say) a greenfinch - what are the laws covering captivity of such a bird (ie greenfinch) in the UK? I know that finches are commonly kept on the continent - my husband was particularly distressed by the caged goldfinches in Spanish markets.

Thanks to all.

[tcvarlh]

right you lot I'm grassing you all up to Polly (no pun intended Jonners) and if she visits you it was ALL your own fault !

[Fieldfare95]

Originally Posted by Catrin

Given what people have said so far, and the evidence of the song - which I can hear a lot of the time, even when I can't see the bird - I'm going with some kind of escaped canary. However; if it is some kind of cross breed with (say) a greenfinch - what are the laws covering captivity of such a bird (ie greenfinch) in the UK? I know that finches are commonly kept on the continent - my husband was particularly distressed by the caged goldfinches in Spanish markets.

Thanks to all.

Not sure about on the continent, but in the UK, British birds that are kept in captivity must be "closed ringed" (a ring on their leg that can only be put on when they are very young). This ensures that they haven't been taken out of a wild nest. You can't put the ring on when they are in a wild nest because the female will very often throw it out when she is tidying and the chick will go with it.