Bigger than a Blackbird, smaller than a Wood Pigeon (1 Viewer)

[Yelvertoft]

Hello,

I've just seen this bird (attached photos) in my local "patch" in North Essex. It's a mix of grass, heath and broad leaved woods. Looking through the scope there was quite a distinct black stripe running through the eye which doesn't come out so strongly in the photos. The long pointed beak and distinct white patch on the throat together with the overall size and long(ish) legs don't seem to fit with any description I can find.

As the title says, it was somewhere between blackbird and wood pigeon sized. I can't find anything like it in my books. Can you help identify please?

:h?:

Sorry for the blurred photos, it was quite a long way away.

Regards,

Duncan.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Hi Duncan,

This is a juvenile Starling.

 

[Keith Reeder]

Duncan, you'll probably find that its in the company of many other young starlings - usually with adults around as well.

 

[Yelvertoft]

Duncan, you'll probably find that its in the company of many other young starlings - usually with adults around as well.

Hmm,

Whilst it's true that there were a couple of other adult starlings nearby, I could have sworn that this bird was distinctly bigger than them.

Thanks for the guidance, I've checked the books and have to agree that it does seem to fit the markings but it really must be an exceptionally well fed juvenille. It was a good inch or two bigger than the two adults that were in the next tree along.

Duncan.

 

[Keith Reeder]

The juveniles do look bigger than the adults sometimes - I was just thinking that myself yesterday.

 

[Yelvertoft]

The juveniles do look bigger than the adults sometimes - I was just thinking that myself yesterday.

Ta Keith,

I've just edited my reply above.

I've just noticed that this is my 100th post. I'm amazed how these things tick along. Thanks to everybody who has helped me become a fledgling birder. I've come here from a photography perspective and ended up being quite a bird fan.

Regards,

Duncan.