pekin robins in N Italy (1 Viewer)

[hollyanderson]

Just returned from a trip to Lucca. Kept seeing these amazing small finch like birds with a red bill in the scrubland along the mountain tracks. Found a website bird report of area which suggests they are pekin robins - but they are not mentioned in my bird books. Why have they come to Lucca? Are they originally escaped caged birds? Can anyone help? I saw several and in different places so they must be breeding there. Any knowledge gratefully received
Thank you

 

[KC Foggin]

Hi there and a warm welcome to you from those of us on staff here at BirdForum :t:

We're glad you found us and thanks for taking a moment to say hello. I'll leave your query to someone from your side of the pond

 

[robinm]

Hi and welcome to BirdForum :t:

There are some escapees in Italy. Did your birds look like this http://www.birdforum.net/opus/Pekin_Robin ?

 

[wintibird]

There is a good population of Red-billed Leiothrix in Tuscany (and other parts of Italy). They derive from escaped cagebirds and are usually not mentioned in field guides for Europe.

André

 

[hollyanderson]

Well, thanks for the quick responses. Yes, they were definitely pekin robins - so colourful and darting amongst the undergrowth. I'm delighted to have tracked down what they were and understand why I couldn't find them in any field guide.
Also heard nightingales and saw an osprey by the river in Lucca. I hadn't been expecting such great bird life. Shame it took us 6 days to get home after the volcano!

 

[xcellent]

Jambo :hi: - Welcome to BirdForum and to the breathtaking world of birds and their lovers. I know you will enjoy.