[StuartReeves]

Structurally the thing in this rather exasperating photo feels like a Black Redstart to me, in particular the relatively fine bill (though of course as with almost all of the 'features' this could be a photographic artifact). However, my initial impression based on the dark primaries and slightly paler vent was Wheatear. However, as Steven Astley noted the dark of the primaries does not seem to extend on to the coverts. When you add in Tav's initial impression that this was a Black Redstart, and the fact that he apparently didn't see any white in the tail when it flew, I think I come down on the Black Redstart side of the fence.

Stuart

[J Jones]

If you thought it was a Black Red Tav, I'd imagine that was what it was - if a Wheatear you would have seen a more contrasted and distinctive bird - and a whopping great white arse when it flew.

Good luck to all those searching for Wheatears this spring.

[J Jones]

Originally Posted by Jane Turner

http://www.birdchick.com/uploaded_im...ale-736631.jpg

http://www.birder.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Scotla29.jpg

http://birdblog.merseyblogs.co.uk/ais3.jpg

Three dodgy light and distant female wheatears (one not Northern) to get an idea how they look. Can't find one in quite such grey light though!

As Kit says, these all look like wheatears Jane - unlike the bird in Tav's image.

[RKell1]

As much as I play with this photo and compare to Redstart/Wheatear, I keep coming back to a dumpy little Robin

[J Jones]

Originally Posted by RKell1

As much as I play with this photo and compare to Redstart/Wheatear, I keep coming back to a dumpy little Robin

But there isn't a red breast?

[RKell1]

Originally Posted by Josh Jones

But there isn't a red breast?

Hmmm just see this from Birds of Iceland....similar pose, blur the colour?

http://www.iceland-nh.net/birds/data..._oenanthe.html

[Steven Astley]

Originally Posted by RKell1

Hmmm just see this from Birds of Iceland....similar pose, blur the colour?

http://www.iceland-nh.net/birds/data..._oenanthe.html

Thats a Wheatear not a Robin . Blur the colour, I would say rub out the colour and repaint it plus adjust the shape and you get the same bird. That bird is just not the same shape or colour.

[J Jones]

Originally Posted by Steven Astley

Thats a Wheatear not a Robin . Blur the colour, I would say rub out the colour and repaint it plus adjust the shape and you get the same bird. That bird is just not the same shape or colour.

[bitterntwisted]

Originally Posted by Josh Jones

But there isn't a red breast?

There isn't a red tail, either. And I think there is red in the breast. Futile as I think this whole exercise is, I still favour Robin over the other candidates. If nothing else I don't see how you rule out Robin, which you surely must do before you entertain what are, despite the suitable habitat, still much less likely candidates.

In the attached photo there is no trickery, just tweaking of the brightness, gamma, and contrast in green, red and blue.

[Barred Wobbler]

Originally Posted by Colin Key

This bird is NOT a Black Redstart. From this 'orrible photo I can only see Northern Wheatear, almost certainly a female.

Colin

Exactly. Why have so few posters checked out esmondb's boosted image in message 6. Blows black redstart, dunnock, robin and all the other silhouettes clear out of the water.

[Jane Turner]

Beats me Alan! Its pretty obviously a female Wheatear spp!

[Barred Wobbler]

Originally Posted by Jane Turner

Beats me Alan! Its pretty obviously a female Wheatear spp!

It's only dumpy because it's probably partly in three-quarter view, producing a fore-shortening effect. Not all silhouettes are full profile.

(does my avatar look too dumpy to be a Bee-eater?)

[Jane Turner]

That is why I can't rule out female BEW!!!!

[Barred Wobbler]

Originally Posted by Jane Turner

That is why I can't rule out female BEW!!!!

It would be hard to rule out one of those in good light!

[jforgham]

Been putting a powerpoint pres together this evening for a do tomorrow and a quick click on BF and refresh button has been most entertaining.
Cracking thread: it's a wheatear!!

[Barred Wobbler]

Anyone care to take a guess at this one?

[AlexC]

Originally Posted by Alan Seaton

Anyone care to take a guess at this one?

A White-fingered Pseudoraptor?

Hahaha, sorry, a joke from another thread... http://birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=79932

[Barred Wobbler]

Originally Posted by overworkedirish

A White-fingered Pseudoraptor?

Hahaha, sorry, a joke from another thread... http://birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=79932

Close

[deborah4]

Originally Posted by Bitterntwisted

I still favour Robin over other candidates. If nothing else, I don't see how you rule out Robin,

cos that would be stretching it a bit and it's obviously a yellow wagtail

(but probably N.Wheat too)

[AlexC]

You all are bonkers! It's clearly a Bald Eagle! Someone should report it...

[dantheman]

Originally Posted by overworkedirish

You all are bonkers! It's clearly a Bald Eagle! Someone should report it...

Not meaning to diss you're photoshop skills Alex, but I was thinking more along the lines of Christmas Pudding Bird myself. . .

Otherwise I'm going for Blackstart(Cercomela melanura). . . hunched down in the wind. .

[RKell1]

Originally Posted by Josh Jones

Ehh Josh, yes that's what I was saying in comparing against wheatear I was thinking I was wrong on Robin and coming round to wheatear, though at this stage I'll plum for the bald eagle theory

[Pete Mella]

I'd say Robin, I can see why someone would think Wheatear, but I think the dark wing-bars are a trick of the light. Robin would be my first choice, with possible Dunnock second.

[Nicola Main]

I remain convinced it is a Robin.

This bird is NOT a female Wheatear because: I fail to notice any supercilium at all in the bird photographed, the area of black on the wing only covers a small area of it and does not extend over the whole wing which it does in a female Wheatear.

This bird is NOT a Black Redstart because: There is no whitish wing panel at all (that I can see). The breast is not too dark which rules out male Black Redstart which has black mask and breast. (Females and juveniles don't have any markings on the breast at all).

This bird IS a Robin because: If you look closely you can actually see the outline of a red breast. Robins have brown on the crown, neck and back and this gets slightly darker brown as it reaches the wing.

No doubt some of you will disagree with me but hey this is my opinion. One final thing to add: THIS IS A ROBIN!!!

[jforgham]

Good day to all,
Good to see this still going.Now back on decent monitor and have pointed out what is visible on original photo. Have to agree that I was incorrect with my male wheatear shout. Not enough black, but still going with that species.
Remember: not all male black redstarts show white wing panels, they tend to develop with age and a 1st / 2nd year bird would not show these. However, doesn't sway me from my position.
As many would tend to agree with, I am familiar with talking cr*p and there is clearly strong evidence of there being specific species cr*p on the rocks as id'd in the photo. Too conclusive to disagree with I would wager!