And now for something completely different - ID please

Lacerta · #1 (**permalink**) 13-03-2010, 12:58 PM

ID required please.

photo was taken today in a garden close to where I live. I suspect that this is an escapee, as I cannot find anything that appears to come close. It also does not appear to be ringed.

regards

Heath

Nicola Main · #2 (**permalink**) 13-03-2010, 01:32 PM

Are you in Britain lacerta? If so then that is definitely an escapee and not a wild British bird, sorry no idea what species it is though! Someone be able to ID it I'm sure. Nice photo can't wait to find out what it is, it's a beautiful bird

aeshna5 · #3 (**permalink**) 13-03-2010, 01:40 PM

An obvious escape- it's a Red-billed Leiothrix, sometimes known as Pekin Robin in cage bird circles.

Common cage bird from southern Asia that's in the babbler family. Smart looking bird. They have become naturalised in Hawaii.

Lacerta · #4 (**permalink**) 13-03-2010, 02:34 PM

Thanks for the replies, Its official, its a Pekin Robin or Red Billed Leiothrix.

The photo was taken in the beer garden of my local in Somerset. Certainly is a smart bird. It didn't behave like what I thought a captive bird would, was quite shy. Apparently it has been around for a few weeks, so not that bothered with the British weather.

regards

Heath