Willow tit window strike (1 Viewer)

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helenol

Well-known member

• Jul 29, 2004

• #1

I was outside this morning, and a willow tit flew into the window. He lay on the ground stunned for 10 minutes or so, then promptly proceeded to fly at the window again!

He was ok, and started calling out, sitting on the fence, then flew off into the tree.

I am 100% certain it is a willow tit, by the nasal sounds of his call as he sat on the fence just 2 feet infront of me.

 

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robinm

Registered User

• Jul 29, 2004

• #2

Hi Helen,

Are you absolutely sure this is a willow tit? The marsh tit also has a nasal call in addition to the pitchoo call. They can be confused.

To me (and I have to say I haven't seen a willow tit in years - they are virtually extinct in Kent) this looks like a marsh tit. No wing bars, small bib, doesn't have the bull neck of willow tit. I'd be interested to hear what an expert thinks.

 

marek_walford

Well-known member

• Jul 29, 2004

• #3

It's always much easier when it's a live bird and not a still photo but this birds looks like a Marsh Tit. One feature alone might not be enough to clinch the id but this bird has no pale panel on the wings, a small bib, neat glossy cap and generally is quite a miniuitive bird, not the butch bird that Willow Tit is.

 

pduxon

Quacked up Member

• Jul 29, 2004

• #4

rats Birdman posted a really good picture of a Willow Tit in one his threads. It had a really big bullneck.

 

Last edited: Jul 29, 2004

Steve G

RAINBIRDER

• Jul 29, 2004

• #5

I thought it might be a Marsh tit as well-essentially for the reasons above. Willow tits are Desperate Dan tits -check the window-if there's no crack it's a Marsh tit.

 

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helenol

Well-known member

• Jul 29, 2004

• #6

http://www.garden-birds.co.uk/

This is the site where I listened to the calls of the marsh and willow tit. The birds call was absolutely 1 million % willow tit.

The collins book, incidently, says that the pale panel on secondaries can occasionally be lost on summer adults through abrasion.

By the way, am I looking at a juvenile, or an adult?

Thanks.

 

robinm

Registered User

• Jul 29, 2004

• #7

OK- sorry to doubt you. I know that many willow tit sightings in Kent have been discounted because of the similarity of the marsh tit other call. Pity that site doesn't have it. I think the Birdguides CD's do.

 

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helenol

Well-known member

• Jul 29, 2004

• #8

robinm said:

OK- sorry to doubt you. I know that many willow tit sightings in Kent have been discounted because of the similarity of the marsh tit other call. Pity that site doesn't have it. I think the Birdguides CD's do.

Click to expand...

Robin, I am in doubt now. I was so certain it was the willow!

Also, bear in mind I am living in the middle of woodland in the countryside. Im going to check the gallery, see what's there....back in a while.

 

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helenol

Well-known member

• Jul 29, 2004

• #9

I'm even more confused now!

I have started a new thread in the i.d. forum.

I'm still going for willow though....

 

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Edward woodwood

Member

• Jul 29, 2004

• #10

Marshy again for me Helen

for reasons given above
plus flanks are pale

Marsh can show slight panel but it's very unusual for Willow not to...
so in field it's easier to think Marsh has a pale panel than willow doesn't if you see what i mean.....looks a fat thing in one pic though

the photo is 'blown out' a bit. Never like id from pix.....try and see it again and have a good look at panel and bib shape, cap glossiness or not, flank colour and call.

 

Last edited: Jul 29, 2004

B

Bluetail

Senior Moment

• Jul 29, 2004

• #11

Hi Helen. Sorry, but Marsh for me too. As Robin pointed out, Marsh also has an "eez eez eez" call which isn't given on the website link you gave above, but which does sound very much like the Willow Tit call there. The bird in pic 3 doesn't have anything like the bull-necked shape of Willow.

 

pduxon

Quacked up Member

• Jul 29, 2004

• #12

Tim Allwood said:

Marshy again for me Helen

for reasons given above
plus flanks are pale

Marsh can show slight panel but it's very unusual for Willow not to...
so in field it's easier to think Marsh has a pale panel than willow doesn't if you see what i mean.....looks a fat thing in one pic though

the photo is 'blown out' a bit. Never like id from pix.....try and see it again and have a good look at panel and bib shape, cap glossiness or not, flank colour and call.

Click to expand...

phew I'm not going mad!!

H - check out the birdguides DVD very helpful on calls and the like.

 

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helenol

Well-known member

• Jul 29, 2004

• #13

ok, I accept defeat. I'm going to have to check out another site for the sounds.

Thanks folks.