Bird Identifying

[kmm154]

Today I was delighted to see a greater spotted female woodpecker feeding on my wild bird food, although I realise these are not uncommon, this is my first sighting.

However, last week I saw a large dove type bird in the garden and it was buff/greyish backed with lots of pinkish underside, and a very bright blue distinctive flash down its wing. I have looked at all kinds of birds but cannot seem to identify it. Could someone help please? Kind of looked like a jay in colour but I think it was larger and with more of a dove shaped head, a bit like a pigeon (only prettier - sorry pigeons), the doves do not seem to have the bright blue blaze!

Suggestions from those more experienced than I please?

[bob.phillips]

Sounds something like a collared dove to me.

Regards,

Bob P.

[Tangaroa]

Maybe a wood pigeon? But I am guessing

[htcdude]

If it had a blue flash down it's wing it certainly sounds like a Jay to me, they can get quite large, and I don't know any Pigeons/Doves that have blue on their wings.

Unless it was a Blue-winged Teal

[Naturenutz]

I think you did see a Jay.There is not anything else i can think of that size with blue in its wings.Other than some ducks.

[Dogghound]

When you say blue, was it a bright "jay" blue, or a grey dull blue? and was it in a small area or across the whole wing? None of our native pigeons have blue wings. Have a look at stock dove, woodpigeon, collared dove or jay.

Laughing doves have a blue/grey patch but there is more chance of it being a blue-winged teal

[Ladywell]

If it was cold with you when you saw it could well have been a jay with its feathers fluffed up making it look a different shape to what you are used to seeing or have seen in ID books?

[faz]

where was the blue on the wing was the bird in flight or at rest ?

have a look at turtle dove i know they have no blue on wing but with light shade etc

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by faz

where was the blue on the wing was the bird in flight or at rest ?

have a look at turtle dove i know they have no blue on wing but with light shade etc

Not likely to be a Turtle Dove as they shouldn't be in the country at the moment, though the occasional individual does sometimes overwinter.

[faz]

agreed but cant think of any thing else with blue i no they dont have blue on the wing but in flight may confuse the colour