While visiting Lulworth Cove in Dorset last tuesday I saw a strange bird which I have now identified as a Bishop weaver bird with an orange head and black body.
I've got several photos of it but can't for some reason download them on to the forum.
Apparently this bird is from Africa.
Can anyone tell me if these are common visitors to the UK.
VAN
Hi Van
If this works there should be a link showing you how to post photos(i'm on my iphone)
www.rspb.org.uk/.../58147.aspx
Regards Alan
My photos are on Flickr and Website
Almost certainly it will be an escapee from someones collection. It wouldn't be here under its own volition. It will be interesting to see your photos. To post follow the instructions in this thread.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/chat/f/2542/p/58147/389440.aspx#389440
Regards TJ
My Flickr photostream
A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song. (Chinese proverb)
Still can't download the photos.
I use a number of Forums on a regular basis but I find this one the most difficult to use.
If anyone is really interested and would be prepared to give their E.Mail address I could forward the photos that way.
I am confident of the identification of this bird and although I don't really know that much about birds I suspected that it had escaped although there aren't a lot of houses in that area.
Van
Hi Van i've just sent you a message via the friends request, if you have email alerts set up you should get my email address, if not PM me and i'll give it you.
I saw birds matching your description whilst in Portugal earlier this year.
My gallery here
Like everyone else I have theories and opinions on lots of things I know b*gger all about.
We had one on the Dee a few years back - its amazing what birds are kept in collections and how many people keep collection!
GalatasI saw birds matching your description whilst in Portugal earlier this year.
I think this is the Black-headed Weaver, Galatas, which is I think different from the one Van saw. There's a feral population in Portugal because I've seen them there too.
This was on a golf course in the Algarve. Not that I was playing I hasten to add.
Just got these fron Van
Wow Van what a beautiful bird, i've cropped them a bit for faster upload.
I see on the first photo it has a coloured ring, i think it will be from a collection.
Amazing colours. Even the sparrow looks a bit startled. An escape from someone's collection for sure.
Well spotted!. I didn't notice that, but zooming in on that photo and others I can see that there is a purple ring present.
I had a Goldfinch a while back that had a red ring and after a bit of googling it turned out that people breed them for showing. www.britishbirdcouncil.com