unkown bird

linred · #1 (**permalink**) 14-02-2010, 04:21 PM

I had a bird in my garden a couple of days ago which was about the size of a pheasant with brown head and wings but it had a fabulous blue chest/lower body. I havent a clue what it was but it didnt appear startled by me. I didnt have time to get my camera and despite trawling the internet since have been unable to identify it and would love some help from you birdwatchers who may be able to give it a name. The closest I have come across was a Merlin or a partridge. I live in a semi urban area with fields and wood quite close by. thanks everyone.

Dan Salter · #2 (**permalink**) 14-02-2010, 04:31 PM

Hiya

Firstly...Merlin and Partridge are very small compared to a pheasant...so if you say it was about the size of a pheasant that narrows it down to mostly game birds/ ducks/ geese/ fowl etc...

From your description is still sounds like a male pheasant which can have an iridescent purplish tinge to the chest?...failing that have a search (google images) of 'green pheasant'...which i think are japanese?...it may have escaped from a collection somewhere?....or...ridiculous as it sounds are you sure it was not a peacock?

Dogghound · #3 (**permalink**) 14-02-2010, 04:35 PM

Or guinea foul? doesnt sound like a native.

Dan Salter · #4 (**permalink**) 14-02-2010, 04:41 PM

Thinking about it both partridge in the UK (native grey partridge and non native red legged partridge) have a blueish tinge to the chest or belly...but i would'nt say it was striking?

linred · #5 (**permalink**) 14-02-2010, 04:55 PM

thanks for the replies everyone. I will certainly search as suggested. Not being big on wild birds then I may be wrong in likening the size to a pheasant and will bow to your knowledge. Yes I had thought it might be a young peacock but there was no plume. anyway the search continues and I shall post if I find a definitive answer. If not then it will probably remain one of life's mysteries unless I have the pleasure of a return visit. thanks again.

MikeS · #6 (**permalink**) 14-02-2010, 04:55 PM

I think Dan's comments are right. But can you give us any more hints? - most birders identify from "jizz" - the general appearance, shape, characteristics, behaviour. This gets us to a family, and only then does colour come to the fore to identify.
Was it long-legged and long-tailed like a pheasant? or a 'normal' shape like a blackbird? Did it fly away or run away? If it flew did it go over the hedge or way off into the distance?

linred · #7 (**permalink**) 14-02-2010, 07:02 PM

it flew onto my roof but It sounded heavy like a whooshing noise of the wings. It didnt have a long tail and the head was small in comparison to the body. if thats any help at all. thanks.

diggleken · #8 (**permalink**) 14-02-2010, 07:32 PM

Whooshing wings linred? Are you sure it wasnt a woodpigeon - they whoosh a lot and have a pinkish suffusion on the chest? Just a thought!
Jizz is so important, as has been said, so any other recollections will help with ID.
Cheers
Ken

Dan Salter · #9 (**permalink**) 14-02-2010, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diggleken

Whooshing wings linred? Are you sure it wasnt a woodpigeon - they whoosh a lot and have a pinkish suffusion on the chest? Just a thought!
Jizz is so important, as has been said, so any other recollections will help with ID.
Cheers
Ken

Hmmm good call!...Linred have a look at 'stock dove' and 'rock dove' too?

Gill Catton · #10 (**permalink**) 15-02-2010, 12:06 PM

This is sounding like a pheasant in one of the many colour variations they come in to me too and perhaps this bird has lost its tail to a fox or a car. Peacocks are an obviously big bird even when young and I don't think you could mistake the size even at distance.