Spain / Black bird (1 Viewer)

[Jose605]

Is it a starling, a blackbird?

Photographed in May in SW Spain.

Thanks for your help!

Jose

 

[01101001]

It's a Spotless Starling - BirdForum Opus. One has recently been recorded as a vagrant in SW Poland. See the below for ID tips.

 

[Jose605]

It's a Spotless Starling - BirdForum Opus. One has recently been recorded as a vagrant in SW Poland. See the below for ID tips.

Thanks a lot. It looked somehow different from the usual Spotless Starlings I see around here in Spain. Cheers

 

[01101001]

Hmm... Have I just jumped the gun?

 

[HouseCrow]

It's a juvenile bird I would think, lacking the pearly coat older immature birds acquire.
In photo 1 I think you can see a bit of nestling yellow on the bill.

cheers,
Gerben

 

[Jose605]

Thank you for your feedback. The photo was on my 'Spain' folder. I hope is not a photo from elsewhere that got mixed with my Spanish pictures. Most probably a juvenile Spotless as you are suggesting.

 

[01101001]

Why not an adult, though? It seems glossy black, not matte brown. I might be wrong.

Starling photo ID guide

José Luis Copete provides expert advice on how to identify Common, Rosy and Spotless Starlings in all plumages.

www.birdguides.com

Ahh, the gape: I see it now. Also, bill colour. Lol, it's actually spelt out in HouseCrow's post above.