The Bigg Bird Forum

fsphil · Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 7:49 pm Post subject: Mystery Bird

Hi all, Got another one for you all!

I seen it at the peanut feeder, didn't recognise it.

Martin · Joined: 03 Nov 2005 Posts: 819 Location: Stevenage, Herts

female chaffinch ?

Kit · Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Posts: 2335 Location: Nottingham

Yes, I think so too. They're so pretty, I wish some would visit us! Supposed to be very abundant birds, but I haven't seen one since I visited a roadside cafe in a lay-by in Lincolnshire about ten years ago. They'd got it sorted there – they were hopping from picnic table to picnic table, demanding cake with menaces!

Emma · Joined: 04 Apr 2005 Posts: 1439 Location: Scottish Borders

Yep, that's a female Chaffinch.

Smile

Peter · Joined: 21 Apr 2005 Posts: 678 Location: South-west England

Chaffinch of the female persuasion indeed. I love the males song in spring - very evocative for me.

Pete

Janice · Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 11:05 pm Post subject:

Kit · Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Posts: 2335 Location: Nottingham

I'd LOVE some! I don't really know why we don't see them here – I suppose there must be some more suitable habitat nearby. But yes, if you wouldn't mind putting a few in a box and sending them over... Very Happy

fsphil · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 9:08 pm Post subject:

Thanks again! These are probably very common birds I'm asking about, but it's all new to me Smile

Is there something in it's beak or is that the colour of it?

Strixaluco · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 4536 Location: Mayford, Sy

Finches have "chunky" beaks, so I don't think it has anything in its beak. This sort of beak is typical of a seed eating bird - insect eating birds have finer beaks. Here are two places to find more information about birds:

http://www.rspb.org.uk/birds/guide/index.asp

http://www.garden-birds.co.uk/

fsphil · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 9:41 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the links.

The second one has a good picture of the male Chaffinch, which I recognise - they are very frequent visiters to the feeder here, unlike the female. Odd!