Trying to identify a Scottish bird (1 Viewer)

[Lenny123]

Probably an easy one for experienced watchers but I am very new to this.
I have identified a few of the regular visitors to my garden, but just once I saw a bird about the size of a blackbird,
with a bright orange or red "chest", and a deep blue /purple "back" that looked like a tailored dinner jacket.
It was not a bullfinch or a robin. I'd welcome any suggestions. Thanks in advance for any advice or comments.
Lenny

 

[alanc]

possibly a male Redstart but this is smaller than a Blackbird. Also check out some pics of male Chaffinch.
Welcome to the forum
cheers alan

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello Lenny,
welcome to birdforum from me!
maybe you can provide a link to the most similar colour here, like https://www.brainarium.ch/farbpalette/ . So you can use a more precise number to describe what you saw.

I thought of a male Chaffinch, also much smaller than a Blackbird

 

[nartreb]

How red is the chin of the local barn swallows in Scotland?

 

[Lenny123]

possibly a male Redstart but this is smaller than a Blackbird. Also check out some pics of male Chaffinch.
Welcome to the forum
cheers alan

Thank you

 

[Lenny123]

Hello Lenny,
welcome to birdforum from me!
maybe you can provide a link to the most similar colour here, like https://www.brainarium.ch/farbpalette/ . So you can use a more precise number to describe what you saw.

I thought of a male Chaffinch, also much smaller than a Blackbird

I had a look at the colour chart in the link (good idea that!)
The front of the body was "red" like #17.
The back of the bird was a deep blue like #104
and there was a third colour - a black (or very dark head)
The colours were not blended in or mixed, they were vivid and the borders well defined.

Thank you Alexander

 

[Lenny123]

How red is the chin of the local barn swallows in Scotland?

The blue on the back is very close to the photos I see of barn Swallows, but the entire from body of the bird was a vivd red, not just the chin.
Thanks

 

[Joern Lehmhus]

If really about the size of a blackbird and the colors were really vivid, something like one of these starlings from genus Lamprotornis could be involved (surely an escape then)...

https://cdn.download.ams.birds.cornell.edu/api/v1/asset/257201601/1800

https://www.crushpixel.com/big-static12/preview4/close-up-superb-starling-lamprotornis-988917.jpg

However, size is really difficult to judge in a single bird ; and therefore a Common redstart may be an easier explanation ?

https://image.freepik.com/free-photo/male-common-redstart-with-last-lights-afternoon-birds-phoenicurus-phoenicurus_153442-567.jpg

https://a4.pbase.com/o9/55/693455/1/155945930.XDw0Ju7s.commonredstart003.jpg

 

[Lenny123]

If really about the size of a blackbird and the colors were really vivid, something like one of these starlings from genus Lamprotornis could be involved (surely an escape then)...

https://cdn.download.ams.birds.cornell.edu/api/v1/asset/257201601/1800

https://www.crushpixel.com/big-static12/preview4/close-up-superb-starling-lamprotornis-988917.jpg

However, size is really difficult to judge in a single bird ; and therefore a Common redstart may be an easier explanation ?

https://image.freepik.com/free-photo/male-common-redstart-with-last-lights-afternoon-birds-phoenicurus-phoenicurus_153442-567.jpg

https://a4.pbase.com/o9/55/693455/1/155945930.XDw0Ju7s.commonredstart003.jpg

.

 

[Lenny123]

To all who posted, thank you.
After much looking at photos I have decided that on the balance of probabilities it was a Bullfinch.
What a wonderful wonderful hobby I have discovered, and also being so warmly welcomed into your group.
Much thanks.

 

[Butty]

Have you invested in a field guide yet? It's a birding 'absolute essential'.