coburni Redwing in the UK (1 Viewer)

[London Birder]

anyone seen any ?

what's the features ?

 

[Frenchy]

anyone seen any ?

what's the features ?

Best feature probably north westerly winds in the autumn on the northern and western isles

Seriously though, coburni are distinctly darker brown and i think more heavily streaked. Would probably stand out in a mixed flock of iliacus for the above reasons.

Hope that helps, but others might have a more comprehensive answer...

 

[London Birder]

hmmn that's what I thought, never seen a definite myself I must admit

 

[AStevenson]

Come to the Outer Hebs, the vast majority here are coburni unless there's a big drift from Scandinavia. Yes they are darker above with more contrasting head patterns, also very often much more heavily marked below with the spotting merging into dark streaks, and often on a less clean white base. The darkness does vary a bit though.

Most pass through in Autumn but some winter here, but most in Ireland, mainland Scotland and Iberia. Spring passage is just starting and probably 90+% of birds most springs passing through the Outer Hebs are coburni. They should stand out in a flock of Scandinavian birds.

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[Fair Islander]

anyone seen any ?

what's the features ?

London Birder,

I've attached a couple of pics for you. As others have said, coburni are larger and darker (generally). Depending on the wind, we can get good numbers of both here. Certainly when the wind goes Nor'West in October you suddently gets lots of very dark looking Redwings around. It's not too difficult when you have lots to look at (of both types) but ID'ing a lone individual wouldn't be easy. The undertail coverts can be a good feature - dark and messy on coburni, often clean and unmarked on iliacus.

 

[London Birder]

thanks for comments ... and pics Paul, appreciated