Cirl Bunting or not?? (1 Viewer)

Tony_InDevon

Bird Lover & People Photographer

• Jul 28, 2003

• #1

Hi everyone, when I saw this bird on Sunday at Wembury, South Devon it looked liked a Yellow Hammer but wrong if you know what I mean. The National Trust Wardens told me that it is a Cirl Bunting and told me all about it.

However, now I have the picci's back I'm not so sure. So with all the experience here I offer it up for your opinion please.

Many thanks Tony.

 

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Colin

Axeman (Retired)

• Jul 28, 2003

• #2

Tony,
The red to brown rump which is just visible on your very clear and sharp picture points to Yellowhammer.

 

Michael Frankis

conehead

• Jul 28, 2003

• #3

I fear this is just a rather dark female Yellowhammer. The rusty-reddish rump (just visible in this photo, at the base of the tail, below the wing) is right for Yellowhammer, but wrong for Cirl, which is grey-green there.

Michael

 

Colin

Axeman (Retired)

• Jul 28, 2003

• #4

Michael,
Great minds think alike and at the same time.:t:

 

Tony_InDevon

Bird Lover & People Photographer

• Jul 28, 2003

• #5

Thanks guys, I knew you could solve it :clap: If anyone is looking for a Yellow Hammer that enjoys posing for the camera, here it is. I have about 20 shots of the lady for my portfolio :'D

 

D

Darrell Clegg

Well-known member

• Jul 28, 2003

• #6

Female Cirl Buntings can show a rusty tinge to the upper tail coverts, but I'd agree that whilst this is a very well marked individual, it is too 'yellow' to be a Cirl Bunting.

Darrell

 

S

StevieEvans

Well-known member

• Aug 1, 2003

• #7

Just for arguments sake....... do Yellowhammer & Cir lBunting hybridise where there ranges meet/overlap ?

S

 

Tony_InDevon

Bird Lover & People Photographer

• Aug 2, 2003

• #8

I have to admit that until an hour before I took this shot, I didn't know anything about Cirl Buntings. But as you can guess I'm reading everything I can find at the moment.

 

D

Darrell Clegg

Well-known member

• Aug 2, 2003

• #9

Steviewol.
The simple answer is yes - here are some references if you want to check further
http://www.bird-hybrids.com/references.php?id=1783&nomenclature=cinfosci

I've never seen one, or indeed anything that remotely look like a hybrid, but then I live in an area where there are plenty of both, so I suspect finding a mate is not a problem.

Darrell

 

S

StevieEvans

Well-known member

• Aug 2, 2003

• #10

Thanks for that Darrell

I hav'nt seen Cirl in UK... yet...

Although there was a record of a singing bird in typical Yellowhammer habitat, close to Durham City in the 70's !

S

 

Tony_InDevon

Bird Lover & People Photographer

• Aug 2, 2003

• #11

As they are quite similar, I wonder how to spot its a hybrid? :bounce: