Brett Richards
Well-known member
The bird described below was present at Flamborough Head on 19 September 1998. Thought at first possibly to be a Sunbird because of the decurved bill, it didn't seem to fit anything. This was before most people had cameras, so it wasn't photographed. At the time I asked a friend to put my description on UK Birdnet (I didn't have a computer then), but received no useful replies. Possibly some sort of South American earth-creeper, but again didn't seem to fit. Obviously an escapee, but I would like to know the ID. Hope someone can help.
Seen several times perched on a post and in flight.
Size of Meadow Pipit or larger. Slim, with longish tail, which seemed fairly straight-ended (i.e. not graduated), but rounded at corners.
Blackish bill about head length, fairly deep-based and noticeably decurved, especially towards tip. Legs and feet blackish.
Upperparts (including head down to lower edge of ear-coverts) brown-grey, paler and a little sandy on rump and uppertaill-coverts. Wings a little darker than mantle and back. Tail similarly a little darker, and also browner, with pale outer edges and tip, the pale edges also noticeable in flight. Underparts whitish.
Flight undulating. Call, repeated throughout flight, a soft “chip chip” or “yip yip”, like a soft, but slightly explosive juvenile Linnet.
Brett
Seen several times perched on a post and in flight.
Size of Meadow Pipit or larger. Slim, with longish tail, which seemed fairly straight-ended (i.e. not graduated), but rounded at corners.
Blackish bill about head length, fairly deep-based and noticeably decurved, especially towards tip. Legs and feet blackish.
Upperparts (including head down to lower edge of ear-coverts) brown-grey, paler and a little sandy on rump and uppertaill-coverts. Wings a little darker than mantle and back. Tail similarly a little darker, and also browner, with pale outer edges and tip, the pale edges also noticeable in flight. Underparts whitish.
Flight undulating. Call, repeated throughout flight, a soft “chip chip” or “yip yip”, like a soft, but slightly explosive juvenile Linnet.
Brett