LBJ, Mallorca (1 Viewer)

J

john-henry

Well-known member

• Sep 8, 2007

• #1

While at S'Albufera, Mallorca three small birds landed in the grass nearby, I assumed they were sparrows and as I had a camera in my hand took a shot of one of them before they flew off. Imagine my surprise when I looked at the pic in the evening and saw the bill!!

I presume it's a weaver but which species?

Many thanks

John

 

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Last edited: Sep 8, 2007

Keith Dickinson

Well-known member

Opus Editor

• Sep 8, 2007

• #2

John....where's the picture?

 

J

john-henry

Well-known member

• Sep 8, 2007

• #3

Sorry Keith, another senior moment. It's there now.

John

 

nickderry

C'est pas ma faute, je suis anglais.

• Sep 8, 2007

• #4

It's a sparrow, (presumably house, can't remember which species it is on Mallorca) I think the bill looks bigger becaue of the state of wear, and the feathers that usually cover the base of the bill are worn, you can see the whole nostril, which is usually partially hidden.

 

J

john-henry

Well-known member

• Sep 8, 2007

• #5

The bill seems very large and yellowish for a sparrow to me.

regards

John

 

W

Wilts_Birder

Well-known member

• Sep 8, 2007

• #6

Having spent a bit of time in Africa, I'd say this isn't a weaver.

I'd agree with the sparrow hypothesis. Either an unusual amount of wear, an abnormally large upper mandible or both.

Sorry !

 

bitterntwisted

Graham Howard Shortt

• Sep 8, 2007

• #7

That's a female House Sparrow, surely?

 

R

Robin Pearson

Herts irregular

• Sep 8, 2007

• #8

Yup, with a yellow bill!

 

J

john-henry

Well-known member

• Sep 8, 2007

• #9

Many thanks all, put my mind at rest.

John

 

nickderry

C'est pas ma faute, je suis anglais.

• Sep 9, 2007

• #10

Just want to check that house sparrow is the usual sparrow in the Balearics, only the female spanish sparrows I've seen in the Canaries seemed to have larger and yellower beaks. ( I suppose I could check that myself, but being ever so lazy!)