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Bird for id! UK (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Joe.S
- Start date
willisoften
Well-known member
Might be a White Wagtail its pale enough. Pied wagtails are are similar blacker and much more common.
Alexander Stöhr
Well-known member
Have learned from another thread, that White Wagtail is a rare breeder in Scotland (thanks again for that), it might be better if one doesnt exclude White Wagtail with 100% confidence, you are right, willisoften.
But then this bird woud be at the extremest end of variation for a White Wagtail with patches of black on the back ( yes its hard to be sure here). I have seen such birds before in Germany, and allways mooted that they might be hybrids.
But as this bird was taken in the UK, I think it can still be identified as a Pied with a very hight grade of confidence, as darkness value and black patches on the back (if real) are easy within variation for Pied.
I think pale rump in the flying bird is an artefact (unsharp thing in the foreground?), because such a pale rump, that is just clearly paler than the back, is strange (out of variation? I am almost sure with a bird, I have so much experience) for a White Wgtail.
But then this bird woud be at the extremest end of variation for a White Wagtail with patches of black on the back ( yes its hard to be sure here). I have seen such birds before in Germany, and allways mooted that they might be hybrids.
But as this bird was taken in the UK, I think it can still be identified as a Pied with a very hight grade of confidence, as darkness value and black patches on the back (if real) are easy within variation for Pied.
I think pale rump in the flying bird is an artefact (unsharp thing in the foreground?), because such a pale rump, that is just clearly paler than the back, is strange (out of variation? I am almost sure with a bird, I have so much experience) for a White Wgtail.
willisoften
Well-known member
I've seen what was described to me as a Continental White Wagtail exactly once, in Kent in late April. Greyer back and tail.
I don't believe I've ever seen one here in Northern Ireland although you can see pied wagtails in almost any car park!
I don't believe I've ever seen one here in Northern Ireland although you can see pied wagtails in almost any car park!
Richard Dale
Well-known member
It's a mistle thrush. Note white tail corners, short tertials and long primaries, pale rump, pale legs, white underwing, general posture and shape, etc. The apparent white areas on the wing are artefacts due to a lack of resolution formed by pale greater covert and secondary edges blurred together.
Alexander Stöhr
Well-known member
Wow,
I missed the video, but it must have been there. Richard is of course right after seeing the video with Mistle Thrush. Thank you Richard!
willisoften
Well-known member
Learn something everyday!
