Could somebody please help identify this bird. I am very new to watching the birds and this forum and probably making a big fool of myself, but here goes. I have a dunnock and this bird in the picture which always seem to appear not too long after each other, for some ground food but they will not eat together, they seem to scare each other off, he's a bit smaller than the dunnock too. I did wonder if it's a meadow pipit but am not too confident in my identity skills.
There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed.
It looks absolutely fine for Dunnock to me. Here's a photo of a similar one:
http://www.cbwps.org.uk/Dunnock.jpg
psst, want to see my blog? http://robandmazza.blogspot.com
I wonder what Bishy thinks after reading all the above? She says she has a dunnock - maybe she has some ideas now?
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Sparrow I wonder what Bishy thinks after reading all the above? She says she has a dunnock - maybe she has some ideas now?
Many thanks for all the replies too.
Hi,
the size of the bird relative to the ivy seed heads makes it a smallish bird, the bill is sharp and slim, the head grey with no obvious supercilium, back warm brown with well defined streaks, the legs are slender.
It's a dunnock guys :)))
S
Please state the nature of the birding emergency
Hi seymouraves, thanks for your reply, I'm happy to accept it is a dunnock, but being totally new to this, and reading through all the posts, there are lot's of people who don't think it is a Dunnock, and I would accept whatever people told me it was, I only started feeding the birds and watching them in the garden this winter after hearing there plight and what a struggle they where having to survive, so I am in no position to argue as to what this bird is. So with all the conflicting posts on this bird I am going to let it run for a bit, as I am not sure if I have found my answer.
And thank you to everyone for there reply's.
Oh and I forgot to ask, this picture was taken 2 days before I posted it, can you still get such juvinile birds at that time of year.
Hello
This is an interesting discussion... It's useful to remember that birds can look different in photos taken in different conditions and from different angles. Even the same bird seen from two different angles can look a different colour each time!
Different cameras and lenses and settings (and editing) can all be deceptive, and it can be very confusing to judge a bird's colours when it's hiding under a tree, or if it's silhouetted against a pale sky.
All these are reasons why the best field guides use illustrations rather than photos, as the artist can account for all these variables and present something more standardised.
Dunnocks all look pretty much the same by late autumn (whether they were hatched earlier that year or before that), so it's too late to see a speckly juvenile at this time of year.
Here are a couple of links to photos:
a dunnock with strong streaking
a speckly young dunnock
Katie
Hi Bishy-barney-bee,
I'm also in no position to argue. I guess it must be a dunnock!
Sparrow Hi Bishy-barney-bee, I'm also in no position to argue. I guess it must be a dunnock!
I've never known a Dunnock cause such a fuss, LOL!
*that's if that's what we've all decided it is ;o)
I don't think its a Dunnock either......
I agree larkish even reed bunting (female)
however, maybe your Dunnock isnt a Dunnock and thats causing confusion re size etc... soooooooo
how about a pic of your Dunnock...
wagtail I don't think its a Dunnock either...... I agree larkish even reed bunting (female) however, maybe your Dunnock isnt a Dunnock and thats causing confusion re size etc... soooooooo how about a pic of your Dunnock...
Hi, Wagtail I've been trying all after noon to get a decent picture of the Dunnock I have visiting here is the best Icould do. He is alot Plainer on the chest and belly than the other one.
Hi BBB, well done for the photo. They can be so fast and elusive.
Have you seen Buzzard's latest post on sexing and ageing birds? There is a link to an article on dunnocks you may find useful.
You beat me to it Sparrow! One of the photos shows the same streaking underneath as on your bird BBB.
There is something new to learn everyday...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/skylark58/
Bishy-barney-bee Hi seymouraves, thanks for your reply, I'm happy to accept it is a dunnock, but being totally new to this, and reading through all the posts, there are lot's of people who don't think it is a Dunnock, and I would accept whatever people told me it was, I only started feeding the birds and watching them in the garden this winter after hearing there plight and what a struggle they where having to survive, so I am in no position to argue as to what this bird is. So with all the conflicting posts on this bird I am going to let it run for a bit, as I am not sure if I have found my answer. And thank you to everyone for there reply's.
Hi- never go just with the majority for the sake of it either on a forum or in the field :) People get carried away in both :))