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Produce => Wildlife forum => Topic started by: Hyacinth on October 01, 2003, 13:11:25

Title: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: Hyacinth on October 01, 2003, 13:11:25

Yesterday there was a bird in my garden I'd not seen before. I was watching him from an upstairs window, the binoculars were downstairs & he was at a distance, but...

He was about the size of a blackbird, but much slimmer.
Rusty red forehead (or whatever it's called)
Light greyish/brown chest.
Back exactly the colour of the thatchy grass he was grubbing in - light beige-y, then.
Short tail.
Very long pointed beak
May have had darker markings on his tail/wing feathers but I didn't see the spread when he flew off.
An extraordinarily upright stance as he hopped about.

Not in my RSPB Birds in Your Garden book.

any ideas, anyone?????????????????????????

Lishka

Title: Re: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: LynneA on October 01, 2003, 14:28:35

Waxwing?  Bit early for them though.
Hoopoe?  But you'd see the crest.
Fieldfares are bigger.
Cream Coloured Coursers live in deserts!


What part of the country are you?  I have a birds of US somewhere in a box to check for migrants.

Title: Re: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: Hyacinth on October 01, 2003, 19:12:33

Thanks, Lynne. I'm in the midlands. I've seen this feller once before 2-3 weeks back. I've a Birds of the World book so when I've time I'll have a look. I'll look up 'hoopoe' - just in case he was having a bad-hair-day.

Was wondering, with the length of the beak, some sort of nuthatch or other tree creeper? The tail seemed short and squat (rather than short and pointy) but I only saw him on the ground - he was already making me late & he had obviously found a good supply of grubs or whatever and wasn't in a hurry to go. Cheers, Lishka

Title: Re: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: Hyacinth on October 02, 2003, 12:28:31

Hello everyone,

I'm bringing this up to the top because last night when I looked for my Birds of the World Encyclopaedia - I found I hadn't got it - must have been one of those books that went to Charity in a ruthless clear-out that's left lots of bookshelves empty.

So if anyone's got a book and can browse and come up with suggestions, I'd be very grateful. Alternatively..direct me to another site where I can ask? Thanks, Lishka

Title: Re: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: ruth_daniels on October 02, 2003, 12:44:13

Hi, could it have been a Jay ??
or if it was smaller how about a Nuthatch ?? ( no pink though) ??
When you say very long beak, do you mean like a wader ?
Sorry you've got me stumped ??

Ruth.

Title: Re: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: Hyacinth on October 02, 2003, 15:47:27

Thanks Ruth. We've got jays so I can certainly rule them out. And nothing like the nuthatches that are pictured in the RSPB book.With that long sharp beak (like the pic of my Treecreeper)it's surely got to be some sort of bird that feeds off trees and, given that I was looking from an upstairs window, still think it must have been in the region of 20cms+ in length.

(Why oh why did I think I wouldn't need my big bird-book again??!!) So infuriating. cheers, Lishka

Title: Re: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: LynneA on October 02, 2003, 19:50:32

Couple of other suggestions -
Wheatear
or possibly a Woodck? (or Snipe)

(ps just noticed my response has been Bowdlerised - work it out from your index!)

Title: Re: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: MagpieDi on October 03, 2003, 00:47:23

Hi Alishka

Could it possibly be a Redwing? About same size as Song-thrush and a visitor in the fields beyond my back garden from September to March. (I'm in the Yorkshire Pennines area)
Regards
Diane

Title: Re: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: rosebud on October 03, 2003, 17:31:47

HI LISHKA.have you found out what the U. F. B. is yet i am most interested i thought maybe a redwing but they don`t seem as large as your mystery visitor. :-/
do hope you are keeping well. cheers rosebud :D

Title: Re: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: Hyacinth on October 03, 2003, 22:08:43

Hello! Thanks all for your suggestions and interest. I've found a brill. illustrated site 'Birds of Britain Guide' & just checked out your latest suggestions...strangely, the two "W"s aren't listed, but it wasn't a snipe or redwing.So, over the weekend, I'm going to browse...cheers! Lishka

Title: Re: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: MagpieDi on October 03, 2003, 23:25:51

Hi Lishka

You've got me hooked on solution to this UFO!!! What about a Curlew, another visitor to the farmland beyond my garden, and it has a very long beak, grey-brown colour and short tail!! :) Altho' they've never ventured over my garden wall!
I'll keep trying!
Best wishes Diane

Title: Re: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: Mrs Ava on October 04, 2003, 01:55:56

I don't know if this will help;
http://www.rspb.org.uk/
but this is the rspb's website.....you may have already been here...... ;D

Title: Re: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: Hyacinth on October 04, 2003, 02:15:25

Thanks EJ - I've just been there & put it in my faves to look through. Give you a laugh, tho! Check out the Home Page...there's this heading..

"Celebrity Bird Food Recipes" - with a pic of a well-fed smiling man flashing his gnashers..

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D Lishka

PS Sorry, Diane...no, not a curlew. A long beak, but not that long!

Title: Re: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: Colin_Bellamy-Wood on October 04, 2003, 20:10:30

Hi Lishka, I've been searching through one of my books, "A Field Guide in Clour to Birds" (Octopus Books), and the best I can come up with is a KNOT. (Calidris Canutus).  

Size of Blackbird.   In nuptial plumage has russet underside and brown thickly spotted back.   Beak is longer than Curlew Sandpiper.   Recognisable in flight by stocky body and spotted rump.   Voice : seldom heard, sometimes calls "twit-wit" when flying.   Widespread coastal migrant often in large, dense flocks, rarely seen inland.

Birds which stary from their normal areas and migration routes, or are driven off course by storms, and appear in regions to which they are foreign, are known as accidental birds (e.g. marine birds found incland, or a few species form Asia and North America (unquote).

Have you had a look on www.bto.org/   ?    The British Trust for Ornithology.

Title: [i[i][/i]Re: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: Hyacinth on October 05, 2003, 20:53:00

Thank you Colin - and everyone!! for your contributions here & via PMs...

I'm seeing nothing which resembles this creature & I'm ploughing through all the Sites you've suggested in my spare time (thanks again, btw).

I'd concentrate on the characteristics which wouldn't have been distorted by my upstairs/glasses rather than binoculars view? - ie.the peculiarly upright stance of the bird & the long sharp beak? He seemed to hop rather than run, if that's any help...

Another clue is that I've seen the same bird quite recently....so just twice then, but always singular - never a pair.....but never before in the 20+ years I've lived here.Got pools around and also woods Preservation Areas). - would suggest a migrant rather than an habitee??

(Beginning to wish I'd never ask the question!!!!! But any suggestions really, really welcomed)...please keep 'em coming?....please?????!!! - Lishka

Title: Re: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: legless on October 05, 2003, 21:49:15

no idea! but its keeping me amused trawling through bird books though! compared to its head, how big would you say the beak was?

Title: Oh LLRe: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: Hyacinth on October 05, 2003, 22:04:33

Oh LL- what can I say? -  "in proportion"?????

LOL - I'm spending FAR too much time on this....LOL and thanks! - Lishka

Title: Re: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: jethro on October 06, 2003, 18:46:45

Hi Alishka, have you checked to see if it is a woodpecker :-/ not that i'm the 'brain of britain' in bird circles you understand :-[. Also i'll check in my book 'wild birds of britain' to see if that helps, if so i'll put a photograph on the board ;D that is if i know how to do it :-X. Hope this helps.

Title: Re: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: ruth_daniels on October 07, 2003, 20:55:14

How about a Wryneck ? :-/

Where abouts do you live ? :)

Coastal ? Inland  ?  Country ?  Town ?

This is driving me potty, but we'll get there in the end !! ;D

Title: Re: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: Hyacinth on October 08, 2003, 11:59:34

Thank Jethro and Ruth for the lastest suggestions..drawn a blank there, I'm afraid.

Later, when the Beeb Bds are open & I've time, I'll paste my original description,  and all your suggestions, over there, too...I looked at the Bd last night - (saw you there, Ruth?) - to widen the net (so to speak...)

But please DO keep the suggestions coming! You've no idea the eagerness with which I take each new suggestion, go to the RSPB Board for a picture...and you've no idea of the subsequent sense of disappointment....I'm really On a Mission now!!!

Oh! Sorry! I forgot...I live in South B'ham - in an area that's got lots of trees, streams, pools.Have lots of bird visitors to my garden, which makes it strange that I've only seen this one once before. - Cheers all! Lishka

Title: Re: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: Margaret on October 08, 2003, 14:57:25

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!

Title: [i][/i]Re: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: Hyacinth on October 08, 2003, 15:51:25

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

Title: Re: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: Tenuse on October 08, 2003, 15:57:20

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

Title: Re: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: Hyacinth on October 08, 2003, 16:00:59

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

Title: [i][/i]Re: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: Hyacinth on October 08, 2003, 18:59:36

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

Title: Re: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: MagpieDi on October 08, 2003, 19:06:56

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

Title: Re: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: ruth_daniels on October 08, 2003, 20:37:23

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

What about a Shrike ?

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

Ruth.

Title: SUCCESS!!!!!!!
Post by: Hyacinth on October 09, 2003, 13:02:16

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

Title: Re: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: ruth_daniels on October 09, 2003, 19:26:05

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

Title: Re: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: Margaret on October 09, 2003, 20:31:26

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

Title: Re: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: teresa on October 10, 2003, 01:33:53

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

Title: [i][/i]Re: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: Hyacinth on October 10, 2003, 02:26:10

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!

Title: Re: Bird - an Unidentified Flying Object!
Post by: Tenuse on October 13, 2003, 12:48:30

I'm glad you found it it looks lovely!

Ten x