can anyone identify this bird for me please

aldridge · #1 (**permalink**) 12-09-2009, 04:52 PM

This lovely little bird has been in our garden on and off for two days now, he does not appear to be frightened of us and we are able to get quite close to him/her. Would love to know what it is, I normally just get starlings, pigeons, magpies and a few robins thrown in for good measure.

and if anyone knows how I can attach a picture other than the above way, please let me know

Ollie · #2 (**permalink**) 12-09-2009, 04:56 PM

It's a juvenile starling that hasn't moulted into it's full adult plumage yet.

Welcome to WAB as well

Jenny W · #3 (**permalink**) 12-09-2009, 04:57 PM

It is a Starling. It's just finishing off it's post-juv moult hence the brown head, they are the last feathers to be moulted out.

aldridge · #4 (**permalink**) 12-09-2009, 05:21 PM

What I didn't put on the OP was that this little guy has black feathers underneath with white spots, brown back with cream/white edged feathers. When you see up close these markings are so distinctive and being as my back yard was the feeding ground for all the baby starlings in the district - I never saw one that looked like him. I watched Mums feeding them on my table all day long. He really doesn't look anything like them. Also, one on his own? He actually took cover when the starlings appeared today. Maybe I just want to have different birds in my garden, who knows ....

Jenny W · #5 (**permalink**) 12-09-2009, 05:41 PM

They will all look different when in different stages of moult, with various degrees of brown juvenile plumage and black and white flecked adult feathers. Nice birds