Neil Grubb
Well-known member
Sorry not to have a photo posted for this one; I have no means of uploading from my camera right now. I am on a conference trip to Barcelona and had a free morning. The nearest green area is Montjuic, a modest hill on the coast in the city itself.
Half way up the hill I spotted a strikingly iridescent bird (the light was really good); a bit bigger than a starling, dark greenish blue body, purplish tail and head (although I guess it depends on how the light hits it). The eye is fairly big and yellow. Legs appear dark and the bill is fairly straight, stout, dark and about the length of the head. It wasn't too shy and at one point was scaenging by a waste bin. Overall the bird is dark and in dull light I would imaging looks black (the iridesence is similar to that seen on a Magpie, only stronger).
At first I thought, is this some kind of starling, but it has no spots and the head shape and eye colour seem wrong.. I will post a pic on Sunday when I get back, but meantime any ideas?
Half way up the hill I spotted a strikingly iridescent bird (the light was really good); a bit bigger than a starling, dark greenish blue body, purplish tail and head (although I guess it depends on how the light hits it). The eye is fairly big and yellow. Legs appear dark and the bill is fairly straight, stout, dark and about the length of the head. It wasn't too shy and at one point was scaenging by a waste bin. Overall the bird is dark and in dull light I would imaging looks black (the iridesence is similar to that seen on a Magpie, only stronger).
At first I thought, is this some kind of starling, but it has no spots and the head shape and eye colour seem wrong.. I will post a pic on Sunday when I get back, but meantime any ideas?