Small crested finch?

[Reptileman]

Hi everybody,

There is a small bird hanging around my feeders that I've not seen before and it doesn't seem to be in my field guide.

It looks like a small finch with a slight crest. Black and white barred wings, dark grey beak, prominent grey stripe on the nape, buff breast with a pale yellowish indistinct bib.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

[Reptileman]

And a short yellow stripe behind the eye.

[Madelinew]

It's possibly a female chaffinch. I've noticed that my chaffinches are prancing around posturing a bit at each other and raising the feathers on the backs of their heads which makes them look crested. Chaffinches vary very widely in colouring

[animartco]

hi. Are you sure the beak is thick like a finch? It sounds like a coal tit. It would help if you gave the colour of the head. animartco

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by Madelinew

It's possibly a female chaffinch. I've noticed that my chaffinches are prancing around posturing a bit at each other and raising the feathers on the backs of their heads which makes them look crested. Chaffinches vary very widely in colouring

... or when the wind blows the wrong way! I, also, can only suggest a chaffinch.

[Reptileman]

It's not a coal tit. We have lots of those.

I have two of these. It could be a hen chaffinch. The 'crest' makes the back of its head look square. They've been around for a few days. They don't stall still long enough for me to take a picture.

I doubt if I'll see them again today. The only thing around at the moment is a single robin harassing a peregrine that's eating a blackbird outside my kitchen window.

[Madelinew]

Originally Posted by Reptileman

It's not a coal tit. We have lots of those.

I have two of these. It could be a hen chaffinch. The 'crest' makes the back of its head look square. They've been around for a few days. They don't stall still long enough for me to take a picture.

I doubt if I'll see them again today. The only thing around at the moment is a single robin harassing a peregrine that's eating a blackbird outside my kitchen window.

Have a look on the RSPB and BTO websites at their pics. Sometimes I find comparing with other pictures than are in my books can give me a clearer idea. My new fieldfare visitors are very obviously fieldfares but the pic in my bird book is very dark and made me doubt my definition for a while.

[Reptileman]

Good tip - I'll have a look.

Thanks Madeline.

[Astra]

How about a female Brambling?
They look like they have square heads and sound llike your description.