ID this bird please (1 Viewer)

[Eric V]

Hi, Can anyone id this bird please, I took this picture from distance back in May in the New Forest and have been struggling to ID. many thanks

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello Eric,
welcome to birdforum!

Your bird is a Starling. Please note

• the right gryish-coal-grey colours with an off-white throat
• The black area (in shape of a stripe), resulting in a line from the bill to the eye is a feature, that adds to the jizz/impression of this species. Together with the long spikey bill this species has a unique head-bill shape and impression among (common) european birds. Yes, this isnt visible in your picture.

The most similar other european bird imo is a Ring Ouzel. This lacks the black stripe on the lores and juveniles have a wavy/barred crescent pattern on the belly.

 

[Butty]

Juvenile.

 

[Eric V]

Thank you Alexander and Butty,