Is this, or is this not, a blackcap?!? (1 Viewer)

2520years

Lurking in the bushes is wrong.

• May 17, 2006

• #1

I'm not very good at identifying little brown jobs. I need the bird to sit there patiently while I leaf through my RSPB book. This one made a couple of fleeting appearances - it was very cautious and quick to get back into hiding so my pictures are rubbish. I thought it was a blackcap but it definitely had a black chin so now I'm not so sure. Any help would be appreciated!







Sorry if these pictures don't come out right...

 

Andrew Whitehouse

Professor of Listening

Supporter

• May 17, 2006

• #2

It's either a Marsh or Willow Tit. Hard to tell from the pictures but the head shape makes me think it's probably a Marsh Tit.

 

2520years

Lurking in the bushes is wrong.

• May 17, 2006

• #3

Ah, that puts a different slant on things. I have since been told that willow tits have been seen there, so you're probably right.

Thanks Andrew (I'll try to get better pictures next time!)

 

Richard D

what was that...

Supporter

• May 17, 2006

• #4

Definitely Marsh or Willow Tit - again I'd err on the side of Marsh from head shape.

 

S

sahikmet

Member

• May 17, 2006

• #5

Agree, definitly not a blackcap

 

lou salomon

the birdonist

• May 17, 2006

• #6

looks like there is some gloss in the black crown which also favours marsh tit.

 

markpie

Well-known member

• May 17, 2006

• #7

I would say Marsh Tit too

 

2520years

Lurking in the bushes is wrong.

• May 18, 2006

• #8

It was at the feeding hide at Pennington Flash where I know willow tits are seen. I don't know whether marsh tits live round there too. Ah well, I know it's a tit anyway!

 

Tim42

Birder4life

• May 19, 2006

• #9

I would go with either Marsh or Willow Tit, pics too blurry to see detail.

 

2520years

Lurking in the bushes is wrong.

• May 19, 2006

• #10

It's virtually impossible to tell these two species apart! This one didn't make a sound (it mostly had a beak-full), so the location would be the only other guide I reckon. It was near a marsh which, strangely, would hint at a Willow Tit. Just to the right of the picture are some reeds then a lake.