Feeder Visitor - UK (1 Viewer)

[ThomasW]

This bird has visited a couple of times recently but this is the first chance I could get photos.
It enjoys fat-ball suet & dried fruit pieces, & isn't skittish as it let me get to within about 5-6 ft before moving away.

“Google Lens” did come up with a name but I’d be interested to know what the more experienced bird watchers think.

I marked the feeder basket to give an idea of size.

TIA

 

[delia todd]

Did Google come up with juvenile Starling by any chance Thomas?

 

[ThomasW]

Did Google come up with juvenile Starling by any chance Thomas?

Hi Delia.
No it didn't, sorry, it was something more obscure, to me at least.

I do have juvenile Starlings that try (unsuccessfully) to get to the other cage-type feeders so I know it wasn't one of those. The fact it let me get so close really surprised me as all my other visitors are away much sooner.

 

[foresttwitcher]

Thomas, it is, as Delia said, a juvenile Starling.

 

[Phil Andrews]

Just out of interest, what did Google Lens suggest?

 

[Nutcracker]

Juvenile Starlings for me too - look like they've got wet recently and the feathers have dried out looking streakier than normal. Their parents need to give them some lessons in preening :-O

 

[ThomasW]

I had a look at RSPB bird identifier but it didn't help.
The more I look at juvenile starling the more I tend to agree, {sorry Delia |:$|} though it was nothing like any of the others that visit. Plus I've never had any let me get that close.

How old would you say it is then, it must be quite young?

BTW, Google came up with short-tailed Pipit, which to my untrained eye doesn't look that far off.

 

[foresttwitcher]

Short-tailed Pipit is a species from sub-Saharan Africa that is not migratory.

 

[PYRTLE]

I had a look at RSPB bird identifier but it didn't help.
The more I look at juvenile starling the more I tend to agree, {sorry Delia |:$|} though it was nothing like any of the others that visit. Plus I've never had any let me get that close.

How old would you say it is then, it must be quite young?

BTW, Google came up with short-tailed Pipit, which to my untrained eye doesn't look that far off.

Glad your mystery bird has now been identified, the juveniles are pretty variable right now, but probably fledged about 3 or 4 weeks ago.

 

[ThomasW]

Short-tailed Pipit is a species from sub-Saharan Africa that is not migratory.

Ah, right. Thanks.
I hope you can see why I saw a similarity though.

 

[ThomasW]

Glad your mystery bird has now been identified, the juveniles are pretty variable right now, but probably fledged about 3 or 4 weeks ago.

Thanks. As it grows it'll probably become more wary of people.

 

[Nutcracker]

Glad your mystery bird has now been identified, the juveniles are pretty variable right now, but probably fledged about 3 or 4 weeks ago.

Starlings have highly synchronised breeding; here (Northumbs), all the young Starlings fledged on 21 May this year (bang on the average fledging day for the last couple of decades at least). So unless it was a re-lay by a pair that failed with their first set of eggs, they fledged a month ago today :t: