Finch (?) Near Hereford (1 Viewer)

[kevparr]

Hi All

A friend spied this chap on his bird feeder. He wonders if it might be a (leucistic) siskin - or perhaps an escapee. Anyone have any thoughts?

thank you

kev

 

[Andy Adcock]

Yellowhammer isn't it?

Andy

 

[Jon Turner]

Canary of some sort?

 

[MTem]

Looks a bit like the bird in this thread!

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=318901

or here

http://www.redbubble.com/people/and...of-bread-and-no-cheese-please-yellowhammer-nz

I'd say most likely a very plain/yellow faced Yellowhammer - I have seen ones that look like a canary from some angles. Shame we can't see the back or tail, but the beak looks more like a bunting than a finch to me - blurred so not conclusive either in my view.

I have never seen a Yellowhammer on a seed feeder though ....

Mick

 

[kevparr]

Thanks for your thoughts. Yellowhammer did cross my mind, but the head shape doesn't look quite right and the beak (difficult to make out admittedly) looks too uniform. Yellowhammers often have a more pronounced lower bill - though I may be looking for indications that aren't there.

The observer didn't get a good view of its back or tail but said it had a greenish hue towards the back end. He does get siskin in the garden which is what led him down that path.

 

[P.Sunesen]

Definitely no Yellowhammer IMO.
The bill is far too long and more like Goldfinch/Sisken/Greenfinch.

Difficult to tell, but no Emberiza for me.......

 

[Nutcracker]

Escaped canary (or similar) for me too.

 

[Jeff Hopkins]

Agree with some sort of escaped canary.

 

[kevparr]

Thanks all - as ever, your input is greatly appreciated. Hopefully the bird will reappear and we'll get something definitive....

 

[kevparr]

Hi all

The bird returned this morning - and my friend managed a blurred shot from behind. It certainly seems his siskin suspicion was well founded....

 

[AllanM]

I'd agree

 

[Andy Adcock]

Odd Siskin, no black cap or bib and breast streaking seemed brownish if it is the same bird?

Also has extensive yellow head and nape.

Andy

 

[Vipers]

Or could it be an escaped Golden Song Sparrow.

 

[Nutcracker]

Cagebird breeder's hybrid between a domesticated yellow canary and a Siskin?

 

[Tiraya]

Clearer pictures would be awesome...I don't want to rule out an aberrant siskin yet.

 

[phil baber]

That upper-wing pattern suggests Siskin strongly, in the latest photo...

 

[phil baber]

That upper-wing pattern suggests Siskin strongly, in the latest photo...

Bump! :cat:

 

[P.Sunesen]

With the second picture it's pretty obviously an abberant Sisken, amply explaining the long, slender bill so striking in the first photos.
This should effectively put all thoughts of a stubby-billed Canary or other cagebird to rest.

Peter

 

[PhilW]

Aberrant Siskin. Steve Young photographed a similar bird on his local golf course!
Here you go:
https://birdsonfilm.smugmug.com/Other/Rarities-and-scarcities/i-QSS7rxb

 

[MTem]

With the second picture it's pretty obviously an abberant Sisken, amply explaining the long, slender bill so striking in the first photos.
This should effectively put all thoughts of a stubby-billed Canary or other cagebird to rest.

Peter

... or a Yellowhammer!

Agreed on aberrant Siskin - especially with the latest photo above. What a striking bird!

Mick