Topic: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!

[Margaret]

Hi Lishka.I have a very good book on birds with excellent photographs.It covers all birds of Britain and Europe.Now i am no expert but I have spent a long time this morning looking through it and comparing them with your description.The nearest I can find is a MALE grey headed woodpecker. It breeds across central Europe and feeds in trees.,mainly near water.Don't know if you can find a picture of one anywhere.The only reservation I have is that it's beak is not THAT long.Just a thought! Got me hooked as well!

[Hyacinth]

Hello Maggie,

We might be getting there, perhaps? I'd just written the intro. on the Beeb birds board & come here to copy the description, when I saw your addition. I've looked at the RSPB & the other Site I've been directed to for a pic, but couldn't find one...and then I found I'd lost my Beeb intro... :'(

Without a pic I can't say - is there one posted anywhere? Otherwise I'll call in at the library tomorrw...I've thought that the bill (black) suggests adaptability to grubbing out in crevices, and the colours are definitely camouflage ones. The upright stance, tho? But I'm getting excited...unfortunately I'm out of time now to re-submit on the Beeb Board..very many thanks - Lishka

[Tenuse]

No idea what bird it could have been, but when you are looking for pictures of other people's suggestions, have you tried doing a google image search?

Go to www.google.co.uk, click on the Image tab and type in the name of whatever you are looking for a picture of.

Maybe it is a juvenile? Teenage thrush perhaps!! (probably not)

Ten x

[Hyacinth]

Thanks, Ten,

Had just posted my msg (above) & done a quick Google...lots there, but quite out of time this mo. to browse...came back here to edit my post - and found your reply!

Well, it's 1.00am & I'm due at a meeting at 2.00...and haven't done any preparation for it!! Will Google tonight and get back...-Lishka

[Hyacinth]

Update! Well, I had a successful meeting - then got onto Google for the Important Work of the Day!!!

On the 'grey headed woodpecker' page, I got SO excited...on the 'sakertout' link there's a brill photo..but..hang on! "my" bird had a black(dark?) bill which was a bit longer, I thought? - (tho the other colours were, I'm sure, exact), & there's no mention of the peculiar and strikingly upright stance of the bird...

Can any ornithologists amongst you tell me - can the bill colour vary? Another g-h-w mentioned the reddish crown, so we're there on that...AND they say that they're "solitary" birds!!

And rare!

could it be that I've got meself a Bit of Exotica in my Garden??

Lish

[MagpieDi]

Hi Alishka
Just about to send image of grey headed woodpecker when your latest posting came up!
Where is it's native habitat? Fascinating stuff!!
I was thinking along  lines of 'accidental migrant water bird' with the longish beak!
Best wishes
Diane

[ruth_daniels]

How about a Redpoll ? :-/
                    Linnett ? ???
                    Hawfinch ?

What about a Shrike ?

It sounds by the sound of it's beak like a wader ?

Ruth.

[Hyacinth]

Thank you all! And especial thanks to Maggie for trawling through her book and to Ten who told me about  Imaging on Google, which I didn't know existed.

If you'd like to see a pic of my UFB, put  'grey headed woodpecker' into Google & click on Images...first bird, second row is me darlin' bang to rights...

Wonder if I'll see him again? I've developed this compulsive neck twitch over the past few days - my PC is by the window overlooking the garden... ;D

Many thanks again, all - cheers! Lishka

[ruth_daniels]

Well thank goodness for that I woke up at 20 past 3 the other morning thinking about this !!!!!!!!!! :(

Just had alook at the GHW and it shouldn't be in this country at all so if it puts in another appearance you'll end up with a garden full of twitchers!!!!!! ::)

Thanks for keeping me amused over the last few days,best wishes Ruth. ;D

[Margaret]

Hi Lishka.I am so glad I was able to help.You are very lucky to have seen a bird that,according to my book is shy and wary,rarely seen in summer and does feed on the ground as much as in trees,especially fond of ants.It is quite the best bird book I have ever come across.I have been doing some research on the net for you and have tracked down where you could get a second hand copy from,if you are interested(to replace the one you gave away!)

If you go to the web site  www.birdnet.co.uk  click on books,then second hand ornithology,you can find it under
Delin,H  &  Svensson,L.  Called Photographic guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe.There are over 1300 colour photographs.Means it is very easy to recognise any bird from a description.As you know!!

Best Wishes

[teresa]

Hi Lishka I have followed your thread daily with great interest. Not knowing what was going to be sudgested next.
I only know the birds which come into the garden in general so when I checked out your bird what a beauty
Teresa

[Hyacinth]

Indeed a beauty, Teresa!Wonder if I'll ever see him again? Now then...what do I do about the ants nest  ;D ;D..and no wonder he was so busy - can you imagine being a bird and eating ants one at a time for your dinner?

Maggie, thanks so much for searching out a copy of your book for me - I'll send you a PM about it.

And a garden full of twitchers?
::)

The mind boggles!

[Tenuse]

I'm glad you found it it looks lovely!

Ten x