Call to ornithologists - what bird is this

[T40ORA]

Sorry, didn't have time to take a photo....

There were a pair of very pretty little birds, about the size of a robin but slimmer, at the bird bath which we keep on the ground in the garden.

I'm begining to question what I saw as I can't find an illustration; they had bright yellow panels to their faces and a long bright red flash on their wings. The nearest picture I can find is that of a Goldfinch, but the red and yellow colours are reversed.

I haven't seen them before in the garden; we were participating in th RSPB Garden Watch and I guess it's the first time that I have really focussed on the actual species in the garden. Delightful to do so, but frustrating to not be able to identify this pair.

[Japveesix]

Could they have been Yellowhammers?

[T40ORA]

No, not that one.

These two where mostly dark, but with yellow only on the cheeks and a strip along the (folded) wing that was a very bright red set against a dark background.

[condor]

I'm also doing the RSPB bird watch and struggling with the identities as well - thought I'd do a familiarisation on their site with the birds and their calls...and have another 'watch' tomorrow. First time I've taken part too.
I've managed to identify by the feeder and nut ball - blue tits, great tits, robin and lots of small brownish ones, of which, I have no idea what they are.

[g3rrd]

Redwing?

[T40ORA]

Small brown ones - possibly Dunnocks.

The ones that I saw seemed a bit more sleek than the Redwing but I'll look for photos as it's the right colouring.

[Griffophenia]

Could it be Cirl bunting!!


Phil

Edited by Griffophenia on Saturday 29th January 22:33

[AMLK]

Griffophenia said:

Could it be Cirl bunting!!


Phil

Edited by Griffophenia on Saturday 29th January 22:33

Hope this is what you spotted as they are listed as red status, you certainly live in the right area for it to be one.

As for the small brown birds - could be dunnocks, wrens or just plain sparrows (house or tree ones though)!!

[T40ORA]

Blimey, that could be it. I don't remember the yellow chest though, but as I was looking down on them I may not have noticed. I'm going to try to find an actual photograph to check.

[condor]

T40ORA said:

Small brown ones - possibly Dunnocks.

I think they probably were.

Have put my results in and am pleased to say that I got 4 tree sparrows from the scarcer species as well as a rook Lots of blue tits and a couple of robins.

[Who me ?]

Another one -there's a pair of them (both identical), residing with the Mallards on the river in our local park- sort of darkish brown all over with whitish patch on neck.Goes quack , looks like a duck ,walks/swims like a duck ,and is about the same size as a Male Mallard==so it could be a duck ,but what sort.
Apologies for picture quality -cheap mobile .

[tenex]

[quote=Who me ?]Another one -there's a pair of them (both identical), residing with the Mallards on the river in our local park- sort of darkish brown all over with whitish patch on neck.Goes quack , looks like a duck ,walks/swims like a duck ,and is about the same size as a Male Mallard==so it could be a duck ,but what sort.
Apologies for picture quality -cheap mobile .
[/quote]

It looks very like a domestic hybrid. There are a lot of them about.


OP. You could have well spotted something "interesting". The size comparison to a robin helps a lot.(eliminating the redwing and most buntings). Another usually over-looked feature is the shape of the beak.
Seed cruncher or delicate, pointed insect eater really helps to narrow things down.


I would describe myself as keen as opposed to expert. I also note on the news there has been a lot of European birds driven over here this year because of the weather.

I wouldn't recognise a lot of them.

[jimmy156]

T40ORA said:

Blimey, that could be it. I don't remember the yellow chest though, but as I was looking down on them I may not have noticed. I'm going to try to find an actual photograph to check.

I'd be very surprised if it were Cirl Bunting you saw, not a bird your likely to get in your garden (unless you live on/right next to a farm) plus they're pretty rare (only 862 pairs according to the RSPB sit) If it looked a bit like a Cirl Bunting how about a siskin? Doesent explain the red wing stripe though.



The ducks posted above are definatley going to be domestic x mallard or some sort of domestic duck.

[T40ORA]

Nope; the red was very noticable.

[central]

Any chance you could get some photos?

ETA Here's a half decent ID guide -

http://www.birdguides.com/species/default.asp?menu...

Edited by central on Thursday 3rd February 14:23

[Who me ?]

jimmy156 said:

The ducks posted above are definatley going to be domestic x mallard or some sort of domestic duck.

Thanks all - we've hunted through the bird books we have +those we brought back from my parents (their back garden was almost a bird santuary)-without a clue .

[T40ORA]

jimmy156 said:

I'd be very surprised if it were Cirl Bunting you saw, not a bird your likely to get in your garden (unless you live on/right next to a farm) plus they're pretty rare (only 862 pairs according to the RSPB sit) If it looked a bit like a Cirl Bunting how about a siskin? Doesent explain the red wing stripe though.

Definitely not the Siskin. I don't live on or next to a farm, but very near to farmland and a nature reserve (few hundred yards away) and forest/woodland.

Sadly I haven't seen the suspects since, although I do have the camera to hand now (just caught a shot of a green woodpecker in the garden which is a first for me).