Any bird spotters here?

lostinrates

I usually use the RSPB bird identifier to id any birds I see and don't know, but I saw one one at the weekend that has me and the RSPB tool foxed.

It was a very small bird, from a distance looked black on top with white below (or possibly as a side marking) and it had a stunningly yellow beak. I can't remember leg colour. It was alone, on the roof of farm buildings surrounded by predominantly grassland, and then taking a bath in a puddle.

Any ideas?

shaz_mum_of__2

http://www.stevenround-birdphotography.com/Common%20Whitethroat.htm

could it have been a whitethroat , known to live in dense hedges?

lostinrates

I don't think so. Darker back and brighter beak. What great images on that site. I'm going to flick through and see if I can find my bird, and try and keep an eye out for it again.

shaz_mum_of__2

my first thought was a black cap until you mentioned a yellow beak

rhiwfield

Maybe a part albino blackbird, or was it smaller?

lostinrates

rhiwfield wrote: »

Maybe a part albino blackbird, or was it smaller?

Smaller!

I can't find anything like it so maybe my memory is playing tricks:o I'll keep an eye out over the next few days. I like to know what's about to get the right sort of food for them.:o

emiff6

This is a very long shot, but could it be a bird blown off course from elsewhere? The pin-tailed whydah is small (four and a half cm), black and white with a bright orange beak. Despite its name it only has a long tail in the breeding season. The only problem is it is a native of Africa.....

lostinrates

emiff6 wrote: »

This is a very long shot, but could it be a bird blown off course from elsewhere? The pin-tailed whydah is small (four and a half cm), black and white with a bright orange beak. Despite its name it only has a long tail in the breeding season. The only problem is it is a native of Africa.....

I wish it was that, the pictures are beautiful! I didn't see it this afternoon but I'll keep an eye out. My guess is that I've mis-seen or misremembered details....its probably a very ordinary tit or finch

dmanes778

as per you brief description, i will go with rhiwfield, he might be right.

lostinrates

I haven't seen the little bird again yet. maybe he was just passing, but its been pretty miserable out so haven;t been loitering outside. I do seem to be getting a robin friend though.

cootambear

Its a sparrow with a yellow clothes peg stuck on its beak