Hello and Help!!

[moonchild74]

Hello, this is my first visit to this forum.
I have been directed here by a friend on another forum and, having looked around the site, can't beleive I've been missing out all this time.

Anyhoo - it has been suggested that this would be the place to ask for the identification of a bird we have had in our garden.
The only photo we could get was from 50 feet away (so the quality is not great), but its the only thing we've got to go on.



We thought it was a Goldfinch, but it's very peachy coloured.
Also the patches on its head are jet black (not red).
We questioned Bullfinch - but they don't have a white stripe.
For the same reason, we also discounted Brambling.

Any ideas?

[Adam Cheeseman]

Hi Moonchild,

Love to help, but can't see the pic I'm afraid. How did you upload it?

Cheers,

Adam

[Vixen]

welcome

I afread I can't see the pic iver.

[goosey]

Hi Moonchild, sorry I can't help with your ID but Welcome to WAB. Hopefully someone will be able to help you sort your photo problem out soon and you'll get an answer or two

[moonchild74]

Mmmmm...??? Thats odd -it showed up before I hit 'Submit'.
It's from Photobox and I used the url to upload it.
Works fine on MFW - which is the only other forum I'm a member of - Hi Suzie, It's gizmo!
Help - I'm not a techie!!

[goosey]

Hi me again - did you upload it to FORUM IMAGES first in the Gallery as I can't see your image there?

[moonchild74]

Thank you Goosey - I wasn't aware that's what I needed to do.
Have uploaded it now - although I must warn you all - the quality is dreadful as it was taken from too far away for the camera we used.
Having looked at the pictures in the 'Finches' file, I'm still not entirely convinced its a Goldfinch. Too peachy and not red in the face.

[goosey]

Sorry - I can't find your photo anywhere. Is there a moderator or anyone who can help please?

[FourwingsJNR]

Hi, Love to help but can't see your photo

[matt_xyz]

The image in question (assuming it's the same one) found its way into the moderation queue for the main gallery. It was definitely a Goldfinch, but unfortunately the quality wasn't good enough and it was rejected. I PM'd Moonchild earlier to confirm that it was a Goldfinch.

Matt

[moonchild74]

Thats fine Matt - I had said myself the quality was dreadful, so I'm glad you haven't put it in the gallery.

Goldfinch it is then.
Never seen one quite so peachy coloured before.

Did query whether it was a captive-bred hybrid, as I know there is talk of people trapping and breeding them.

Thanks you all for your input.

[badgerwatcher]

Hi Moonchild. Goldfinches do have a very nice peachy buff coloured waistcoat which shows up very nicely in certain lights.

[badgerwatcher]

What's MFW?

[moonchild74]

I hadn't realised quite how pretty they are.
I'm only a novice!!
Thanks badgerwatcher.

MFW is Mercia Ferret Welfare.
It's run by Rose and Arf Morris in Coventry.
They take in and re-home rescue Ferrets.

We have 6 Ferrets and support MFW by going to the shows and spreading the word.
Ferrets are a much misunderstood creature who get a really bad deal in the press, but are amazing little characters who make wonderful pets and deserve more respect.

*Gets down off soap box! *

[lacie]

I agree about ferrets being misunderstood moonchild74. Someone i know had four of them, he used to take them a walk on collar and leads. I loved them, very friendly and entertaining they were

[badgerwatcher]

Oh yes, goldfinches are wonderfully pretty.
Yes, I like ferrets for their sleek sinuousness, which I greatly envy!