Blue diamond on back??!! (1 Viewer)

[elhix]

I saw a small (smaller than a blackbird) generally dark coloured bird with a very distinctive bright blue (possibly diamond shaped) patch on its back. It was in flight when I saw it and I had the impression it had small wings and a medium length fine, pointed bill. I saw the bird around the harbour here in Tenby, South West Wales. It flew into some trees.

Funny thing is, about three weeks ago a friend asked me about 'a small bird with a blue back' he'd seen momentarily flying behind my boat as I left Tenby Harbour and I didn't believe him. I couldn't think of any UK bird with a blue back!

Please can anyone help me identify this one?

 

[nickderry]

it's got to be a kingfisher from that description

 

[bitterntwisted]

it's got to be a kingfisher from that description

Agreed.

 

[elhix]

I'm not so sure... The blue patch was limited in size and the bird was otherwise dark - black or dark brown.

 

[bitterntwisted]

In poor light and not seen well a Kingfisher could easily appear all dark with a blue diamond on the back - the mantle and tail feathers are much, much brighter and more iridescent than the rest of the upperparts. And there really isn't anything else to fit the description.

 

[elhix]

Ok. The size would be about right. No significant rivers nearby mind.

 

[JamesA]

Ok. The size would be about right. No significant rivers nearby mind.

They can live happily on fairly small streams/pools. Anywhere there's fish, really.

 

[nickderry]

around a harbour is a perfect place for them in winter - anywhere there's fish.