Finch (fledgling) ID please

lizzieloo · #1 (**permalink**) 18-07-2011, 09:43 PM

Hello, a friend sent me these photos as I can usually ID the birds she spots but this one has me stumped. Spotted near Maldon in Essex

Thanks

ETA: I've uploaded these to this site and linked from there, don't know why it's coming up saying external image

Kayleigh · #2 (**permalink**) 18-07-2011, 09:49 PM

It looks like it could be an escapee as I have never seen a British bird like this but what do I know...
Somone will be along shortly to put you out of your misery..

Welcome to WAB..

Charlesbeams · #3 (**permalink**) 18-07-2011, 09:50 PM

The colours look a bit like a Snow Bunting, but i'm not sure if they'd be around at this time and if the young look like that.

Another with similar colours is Brambling

lizzieloo · #4 (**permalink**) 18-07-2011, 09:54 PM

Could very well not be a finch

, I was going by the shape of the beak

Thanks for the welcome, I've been coming here, lurking about for a while just never posted before.

solus · #5 (**permalink**) 18-07-2011, 10:23 PM

It's an escaped cagebird of some type - sorry, that's as far as I can go! Too many canary x variants so no idea what this one is!

Nothing like either Snow Bunting or Brambling, neither of which would be in an Essex garden in July anyway.

lizzieloo · #6 (**permalink**) 18-07-2011, 10:35 PM

I was coming round to that way of thinking, at least it will have the opportunity to fly free for a while, I know it won't end well but I hate the idea of caged birds.

Is there any problem in the UK with escaped caged birds breeding with other species? Is that even possible?

~T~ · #7 (**permalink**) 18-07-2011, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizzieloo

I was coming round to that way of thinking, at least it will have the opportunity to fly free for a while, I know it won't end well but I hate the idea of caged birds.

Is there any problem in the UK with escaped caged birds breeding with other species? Is that even possible?

Canaries can breed with other finches such as goldfinches. I doubt that this would happen in the wild though.

aeshna5 · #8 (**permalink**) 19-07-2011, 04:23 AM

Looks like an adult Canary breed to me.

htcdude · #9 (**permalink**) 19-07-2011, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizzieloo

Could very well not be a finch

It is a finch, as mentioned some concoction of various canarys

Nige

fluff11 · #10 (**permalink**) 19-07-2011, 07:46 AM

Variagated New Coloured Canary adult. Catch it and find it a good home because it wont last long in the wild without a major food source and will fall easy prey to cats.