Bird identification please. Starling chick?

JaySteel · #1 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 03:49 PM

Hi there. Can anyone please confirm that this is a starling chick?
As sick as I might sound this is actually a photo of a dead bird found in my car park at work. It was barely alive when someone found it and it died very shortly afterwards unfortunately. It seemed a waste to miss a photo opportunity though. It was left in the car park for the foxes (or whatever else eats carrion) after I took this shot.
Thanks,

Jason

Jackaroo · #2 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 04:04 PM

I was about to ask the same question so I'll be wait for a verdict also and wont have the embarrassment of showing my less competent lensmanship lol

Oh, what the hey!!! Here it is

FalcoSubbuteo · #3 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 04:07 PM

That's an young starling.

BR. Martin

JaySteel · #4 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 04:13 PM

Thanks very much. I couldn't think of anything else it could have been.
Jackaroo - my image is sharp because it's a lot easier photographing a dead bird from only 2ft away!

Best regards,
Jason

Jackaroo · #5 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaySteel

Thanks very much. I couldn't think of anything else it could have been.
Jackaroo - my image is sharp because it's a lot easier photographing a dead bird from only 2ft away!

Best regards,
Jason

Note to Self: Kill subject first for best results

I've taken a few family snaps where that would be the preferred method lol

Littlesparrow · #6 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 04:28 PM

Just out of interest, any idea what killed it Jason?

The Woodman · #7 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 04:30 PM

I was going to ask if was a window strike? The beak is that opened stress position.

JaySteel · #8 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 04:40 PM

I don't know what the cause of death was or where it came from. It didn't seem developed enough to fly and there was no sign of trauma. I actually prized open the beak slightly myself with a screwdriver to make the bird look more alive. This was surprisingly hard to do. The beak was locked tightly shut and this was as wide open as I could get it. The eyes were also partially closed when I found the poor thing. It sounds terrible when I repeat the story but It was dead so it wasn't going to complain.

Kayleigh · #9 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaySteel

I don't know what the cause of death was or where it came from. It didn't seem developed enough to fly and there was no sign of trauma. I actually prized open the beak slightly myself with a screwdriver to make the bird look more alive. This was surprisingly hard to do. The beak was locked tightly shut and this was as wide open as I could get it. The eyes were also partially closed when I found the poor thing. It sounds terrible when I repeat the story but It was dead so it wasn't going to complain.

OMG this sounds like the parrot sketch from MP...hahaha

Sorry but sick as I am its hilarious..

How did you get it to stand up..nail it to the perch..

Farplace · #10 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

OMG this sounds like the parrot sketch from MP...hahaha

Sorry but sick as I am its hilarious..

How did you get it to stand up..nail it to the perch..

Hahaha A good photographer always carried a hammer and nails with him - just in case of emergencies.... plus a screwdriver to open those pesky beaks!
Agreed though - Its a starling!