Rare indeed !

[Zoe]

I took this photo in my garden earlier this week , be interested in peoples thoughts as to what they think it is.

[Tim Allwood]

looks like a Red-billed Blue Magpie Zoe
very nice indeed

[Birdbrain]

lovely picture zoe
Thats something you dont see every day

[steve_nova]

What on earth is this Asian species doing over here, a release I suppose.

Beautiful bird all the same.

[Michael Frankis]

A Chinese bird, it will have escaped from a cage somewhere.

Michael

[Zoe]

I am quite sure its an escapee too , but seems to be doing pretty well here in sunny Hampshire , I first sighted it in March this year in an oak wood near my home , seems like it's here to stay for a while , just hope that its able to survive the winter.

[Michael Frankis]

Should be fine - the places it is native to in China get A LOT colder than anywhere in Britain ever does

Michael

[Sumit]

The Red-billed Blue Magpie ( Urocissa erythrorhyncha) has a wide range across most of the Himalayas extending to China and South-east Asia. The Red-billed is found between the foothills and 1600 meters. The closely related Yeloow-billed is found in colder places as it occupies a range extending from 1600- 3000+ meters into the snow line.
Cheers!
Sumit

[Eileen]

Well it was worth waiting for Zoe! At last I've got to see it. Let us know how it gets on won't you? Keep snapping - hear from you again I hope. Regards, Eileen.

[jayhunter]

Nice bird Zoe, very exotic for Hampshire anywhere near my sister who lives in Meonstoke, or my Mum who lives in Purbrook? If so I might be tempted to visit before Xmas.

[Ruth Elsby]

Well it was worth waiting for Zoe! At last I've got to see it. Let us know how it gets on won't you? Keep snapping - hear from you again I hope. Regards, Eileen.


Hi Eileen and Zoe, followed you over here from the Beeb, it's a bit complicated but hopefully I'll get used to the formay and make lots of new friends.

Love the Magpie Zoe.
Hope the knee is OK Eileen.

Best wishes to you both Ruth.

[Zoe]

Nice bird Zoe, very exotic for Hampshire anywhere near my sister who lives in Meonstoke, or my Mum who lives in Purbrook? If so I might be tempted to visit before Xmas.
I am not quite sure where either of these are , but I am in NE Hampshire not too far from J5 on the M3 -I'd be happy to provide you with details of where I have sighted it in email, so that you can have a chance to spot it too .I guess from your name that you like all things Crow, Jay and Magpie ? They are beautiful birds.

[christineredgate]

Good Shot Zoe,this is obviously the bird you were chatting about in the chat room.
When you mentioned long tail,Magpie was my first thought,but wondered what else it could be.Very interesting
Christine