Bird in spain

bornwild · #1 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 08:31 PM

Ok i know it's a long shot as i have no pic of the bird ..so here goes
from my balcony 3 days on the dot a bird came to feed on the fruit trees
it was nuthatch size with a pointed beak very close markings to a nuthatch but it had a shinny black back and tail but a whiteish yellow underside
any ideas ?????? i was on the costa del sol

xta

diggleken · #2 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 08:50 PM

bit difficult!

More detail will help a lot - but I dont think there are any nuthatches with black tails, but as ever stand to be corrected!
First thoughts, possibly rock thrush (not blue rock thrush) or golden oriole?
Size, behaviour, beak,patterning, flight etc etc will all help besides what you have given us already!
Cheers
Ken

thebeard · #3 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 10:28 PM

sounds like it could be a rock thrush to me though their underside is more red/orange

bornwild · #4 (**permalink**) 09-10-2009, 03:04 AM

Googled rock thrush it wasn't one of those
bit more detail errrrrrrrm
it went cheep cheep twice as it flew in

hid and didn't want to be seen it only stayed a min then went after a few pecks of something
it was all black on its back and tail not a dull black but shinny like a raven ..underneth from the beck to tail was not actualy white or yellow but a magnoila colourish its beck was pointy

but it was nuthatch like in its shape and size

nakedgardener · #5 (**permalink**) 09-10-2009, 05:43 AM

Nothing really fits the discription.. have a look at

Redstart
black redstart
orphean warbler

Picidae · #6 (**permalink**) 09-10-2009, 04:19 PM

Quite possibly an escaped exotic if it was feeding on fruit trees, there seems to be rather a lot of feral populations springing up in Spain these days!

colincurry · #7 (**permalink**) 09-10-2009, 06:07 PM

What about an azure winged magpie?

Colin

Kayleigh · #8 (**permalink**) 09-10-2009, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colincurry

What about an azure winged magpie?

Colin

Hey, you have just id'd my jays I saw in Spain..in a large noisy flock drinking from a stream going into the dam.

colincurry · #9 (**permalink**) 09-10-2009, 06:45 PM

Pleased to have been of service - do you have pictures, Kayleigh?

Colin

Picidae · #10 (**permalink**) 09-10-2009, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colincurry

What about an azure winged magpie?

Colin

rather a lot larger than a Nuthatch with rusty backs and blue tails (not black!)

Couple of other possibles from my pics here but they don't really fit your description properly either (and I've never seen a BEWheater in a fruit tree although they will eat fruit if seed and insects are in short supply and WC shrikes have a noticeable dark red crown)

Edit: just seen Stephen suggests BE Wheatear apologies (don't think it really fits description tho'!)