[pduxon]

We've had favourite birds BUT what in your opinion is the most underrated bird? The bird that deserves more attention than it normally get?

[Edward]

Drake Gadwall. It's normally described as a drab bird in guides but its plumage is exquisite if you give it a chance. Vote Gadwall!

E

[Stonechat2]

Hi pete,

I think the Canada goose is quite under rated as it is very common, however if you ever just sit and watch them for a while they are quite nice birds, especially if there havn't been many birds of interest about, during the day. They are easy to see and arn't particulary bothered abouit you being near them which allows you to get close up views of them which is always nice.

Steven

[Anthony Morton]

Hi Pete,

That's an easy one, because for me it's got to be the racing pigeon!

Regards,

Anthony

[Elizabeth Bigg]

Originally Posted by Anthony Morton

Hi Pete,

That's an easy one, because for me it's got to be the racing pigeon!

Regards,

Anthony

Oh dear!

[Edward woodwood]

Bali Starling

beautiful and on the verge of extinction - perhaps just single figures in the wild now. Hasn't captured the public attention - strange as it is gorgeous.

[CJW]

Any and all caprimulgiformes.

[Stonechat2]

[/quote]Bali Starling

beautiful and on the verge of extinction - perhaps just single figures in the wild now. Hasn't captured the public attention - strange as it is gorgeous.[quote]

What a cracking bird, is underated the right word, shouldn't it be unheard of as if i saw this i would definateley not underate it. Anyonewho would underate this bird is an idiot. Do many wild bird organisations know of it's decline as they should be doing something if they do.

Steven

[Elizabeth Bigg]

Originally Posted by CJW

Any and all caprimulgiform.

For anyone who is as ignorant as I am, here is The Encyclopaedia Britannica definition:

Member of the avian order (Caprimulgiformes) that comprises the soft-plumaged birds known as nightjars, nighthawks, potoos, frogmouths, and owlet frogmouths. It also includes the unique oilbird of South America.

[Edward woodwood]

Hi Steven

OBC has tried to do stuff for Bali Starling - given money to help set up projects but there was a raid a couple of years ago and several birds were stolen for cagebird trade. It's up to all of us - we make up the organisations trying to do something.

[Stonechat2]

Hi Tim,

I wish those pathetic weasels had of got caught andhad there hands cut off.
Arn't birdlife trying to do anything to save this greta looking species.

Steven

[Edward]

Originally Posted by CJW

Any and all caprimulgiformes.

Are they really underrated though, Chris? I thought the Nightjar I saw in June in Norfolk was the best new bird I'd seen this year. There are so many spectacular caprimulgiformes (Standard-winged Nightjar etc.) that they can't be underated perhaps "underseen."

E

[Stonechat2]

There seems to be a very tight line between underated and unseen, unherd etc

[James Lowther]

How about the sparrowhawk, a perfectly-evolved little predator - 'though she be but little, she is fierce'?
Seriously though, taking up Edward's idea of Gadwall, the drake dabbling ducks are all pretty stunning when you consider them, even the humble mallard, overlooked by most birdwatchers in search of something a little more unusual (myself included).

[Michael Frankis]

Originally Posted by Stonechat2

There seems to be a very tight line between underated and unseen, unherd etc

Great point Steven . . . a lot of the birds listed here, I'd not call 'underrated' at all! - just 'unfamiliar' or (Bali Starling) their plight not well enough publicised. I'm sure almost all birders would rate it highly, if they knew about it. And I've never heard of anyone talking nightjars down - they seem to be pretty universally highly appreciated!

An underrated bird is one that you see often, and usually don't bother to look at closely, because you see them a lot and think them 'boring', but which ARE worth looking at in reality.

Dunnock.

House Sparrow.

And I'm sure Steve Nova would say, Carrion Crow.

And, yeah, Canada Goose too, if they weren't such pests! (in Britain, at any rate)

Michael

[Bluetail]

I'll second Dunnock. Nominally drab, but actually fascinatingly patterned and a social life that's... well... .

[benji]

Its a difficult one this - Pin tailed Whydah is an interesting bird - esp watching males with their very long tails trying to fly after other males & females! They are parasitic too which makes them interesting.

[A.W.M.]

I am going for the Dunnock. I love its song which I hear frequently but I rarely see the bird as it is so secretive. I have had it on my bird table in the winter though.

[A.W.M.]

Originally Posted by Bluetail

I'll second Dunnock. Nominally drab, but actually fascinatingly patterned and a social life that's... well... .

Hey what's this about the Dunnocks' social life. I am very new to birding so I have missed something here!!

[pduxon]

I started thinking about when I was watching some coot building a nest. It s the type of bird you see and then think no more of. But they can be fascinating when building a nest.

Dunnock is a good choice, the colouring is subtle and the song very pleasant.

Any of the common ducks warrant a mention but why do people get all fussed about Teal?

[pduxon]

Originally Posted by A.W.M.

Hey what's this about the Dunnocks' social life. I am very new to birding so I have missed something here!!

They have a very complex sex life. Check out Dominic Couzen's The Secret Lives of Garden Birds for a full description.

[gary jb]

I would like to say the Starling.Though in decline,the starling makes the most out of all enviroments,its eats rubbish out of bins,leaves droppings all over buildings when roosting and looks scruffy.but because it can adapt to any situation,i will make it my most underestimated bird.

Gary.......

[James Lowther]

A starling is a pretty attractive creature also, purple and green-glossed irridescent plumage with gold spots can't be bad!

[alan_rymer]

Dunnock , and Wren ( Troglodytes Troglodytes ) I refuse to add the the new prefix.

[Andrew]

Coot is indeed an amazing bird. I mean all shiny and deep black to set of that pure white knob. Odd to think I was a pole fisherman who hated the blighters milling around my pole float!