Bird ID please?

tigercub58 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-07-2011, 06:39 PM

Hello,

Just joined here - hoping someone can help identify a visitor to our garden in the last few weeks.
Unable to track him down. Main thing we've noticed is that he has a very small head and thin neck relative to the rest of his body. He is a bit larger than a robin but with similar legs and plumped up breast. Bit of a scruffy appearance all round and appears to be on his own.
Thought at first he was a youngster but his size hasn't altered in around 5 weeks.
Have attached a pic here and could post further ones if anyone has an idea? Sorry the quality is not too good but hope it shows enough detail.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Pete

bigdave60dog · #2 (**permalink**) 02-07-2011, 06:53 PM

Cant really see from the photo but most birds for Id that have that general appearance are Dunnocks.
Dave

tigercub58 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-07-2011, 07:03 PM

Thanks for the prompt response. Pretty sure it's not a dunnock though as we have several of those around at the same time. I'll try and get a better picture but the striking thing about him is that he seems completely out of proportion compared to anything previously seen. He has a rusty coloured head and neck with mainly grey body but including rust, brown and even blue feathers!?

ho66es · #4 (**permalink**) 02-07-2011, 11:44 PM

I wonder if his head and neck are devoid of feathers? that would give the appearance of an overly small neck and head?

tigercub58 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-07-2011, 08:52 AM

Could be - hadn't considered that. I've got a pretty poor camera but have cropped the original image if this makes it any easier to see....

Deb London · #6 (**permalink**) 03-07-2011, 09:13 AM

Although the bird is a bit larger than a Robin, I think it looks like a Robin and can't think what else it looks like.

actionfinch · #7 (**permalink**) 03-07-2011, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ho66es

I wonder if his head and neck are devoid of feathers? that would give the appearance of an overly small neck and head?

most poss as i see a jackdaw with the same outcome, and my first thought was lack of feathers...

what about a young blackbird...?

Za · #8 (**permalink**) 03-07-2011, 10:20 AM

Looks like there could be remains of red feathers at the bottom of the breast, and I have seen two bald headed robins before so I think it might be a robin.
It certainly seems to have the robin shape.
Could this be something that robins are prone to?

Za

tigercub58 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-07-2011, 01:06 PM

Thanks, Za. I think I agree with you and Deb. The pic you've posted more or less convinces me. This bird also tends to adopt classic robin poses on the backs of garden chairs, watering can handles etc. too so I think he thinks he's a robin even if he isn't! Will be interesting to hear if baldness in robins is common though. With my own smooth pate as red as his in the summer months I have more than a little empathy as well

Pete