2 russet brown birds - Lancashire, England (1 Viewer)

[SandH]

We live in Chorley, Lancashire in a fairly rural area with lots of fields and trees. Last night we saw 2 birds we had never seen before. About the size of a crow, but slimmer. They had a russet brown plumage and a dark tail that seemed to fan out. They also had a beak like a finch. At least one of them had a small crest on the back of its head. They made a lot of noise sat in the tree - and all the crows and magpies came and also sat on the tree, watching. It could be that it was some sort of mating ritual or that they were young birds fighting. They both dropped to the ground (field) and were no longer in view. It could be they have been blown off course ? Any ideas what they could be ? (No photos, unfortunately)

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Welcome to BirdForum. I wonder if your birds were Jays. They can look quite brownish in certain lights. The rest of the descriptions sounds very good for them.

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Hi and welcome to BirdForum. Jay sounds like a good shout.

 

[SandH]

Welcome to BirdForum. I wonder if your birds were Jays. They can look quite brownish in certain lights. The rest of the descriptions

Welcome to BirdForum. I wonder if your birds were Jays. They can look quite brownish in certain lights. The rest of the descriptions sounds very good for them

 

[SandH]

Welcome to BirdForum. I wonder if your birds were Jays. They can look quite brownish in certain lights. The rest of the descriptions sounds very good for them.

Thank you, Andrew. I've just looked Jays up. The birds we saw didn't have blue or white on their backs. Could it be they were youngsters and hadn't developed their colours fully ? The book I'm reading about Jays describes a harsh screech, which sounds right. The tail and wing shape looks right - but the beak doesn't seem quite parrot-y enough

 

[SandH]

Hi and welcome to BirdForum. Jay sounds like a good shout.

Thank you, Clarke. I've just looked Jays up. The birds we saw didn't have blue or white on their backs. Could it be they were youngsters and hadn't developed their colours fully ? The book I'm reading about Jays describes a harsh screech, which sounds right. The tail and wing shape looks right - but the beak doesn't seem quite parrot-y enough

 

[delia todd]

Hi SandH and a warm welcome from me too.

I'm stuck if it isn't a Jay, I'm afraid.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I hope to hear about all the birds you see when out and about.

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[Kits]

Welcome to Birdforum. I hope you enjoy your visits.

 

[Earnest lad]

Oftentimes when I have spotted a jay I only saw the dull part of it. The colourful aspects didnt present themselves as obvious on those occasions. I don't know whether other members would concur with this. On such occasions one has seen what had the appearance of predominantly dull bird for example as with the attached photo. I dont know if this helps.;