What's that bird?

Helping UK Twitterers identify birds by sight and sound. Supporter of the BTO, RSPB and advocate of the Merlin birding app.

[What's that bird? @WhatsthatUKbird]

This will be a Q/A set up. The emphasis will be on explanation and learning to improve identification. For quick and easy ID on the go use @MerlinBirdID app. Watch the @_BTO video bird guides for similar species and familiarise yourself with @Natures_Voice bird identifier 3/3

[What's that bird? @WhatsthatUKbird]

@SmallEjector That's a Cockatiel, native to Australia. It's commonly kept as a cage bird elsewhere so likely to be an escape.

[What's that bird? @WhatsthatUKbird]

@chrissiedec06 I do indeed. It's a White-breasted Nuthatch.

[What's that bird? @WhatsthatUKbird]

@emma_boozer Hi Emma, your #whatsthatbird is a Sparrowhawk. Key features here are the plain brown tones, long yellow legs and unmarked face. Peregrine's would be bulkier, have feathered legs at the top and would also show a dark moustachial stripe. Hope that helps.

[What's that bird? @WhatsthatUKbird]

@redpantsrach Sorry for the massive delay Rachel. This is a Blackcap. Females and youngsters of both sexes have brown caps. There isn't a lot of feather wear by the look of it so could well be a bird born this summer.

[What's that bird? @WhatsthatUKbird]

@pinkgentleman @carl_99 Kieran has got it spot on Carl. Male Linnet it is. Will show a bit of red on the forehead and chest as well.

[What's that bird? @WhatsthatUKbird]

@dP85186699 @RSPBFrampton @Natures_Voice Your #whatsthatbird is a Merlin. Same colour across the back and wings. Kestrels will show a contrast between a rusty brown back and much darker flight feathers. Also much more compact. Powerful pursuit falcon whereas Kestrel longer tailed and winged and slighter in the body.

[What's that bird? @WhatsthatUKbird]

@carl_99 @wurlyburgh Aye, Stoney spot on with Chiffchaff. General appearance, slight size, fine bill, delicate legs all point to warbler. Very few around this time of year so either Blackcap, Cetti's or Dartford which all winter here. Greeny tones and pale supercillium both point to Chiffchaff.

[What's that bird? @WhatsthatUKbird]

@JDeanbirding @connor_pimm @TimWorfolk @LeafKings @Joeparham19 @Donna_Dean @DonnaAPotts @rivers_sl @Sneapster @Callahanbirder @BirdingClimate Great piece Jonathan. No real reason ID's can't and shouldn't be explained beyond naming but good look into the behaviour why some don't. Have you posted that article on the FB page in question? Be interesting to see the outcome of any self reflection. https://t.co/lZMGR6kI3A

[What's that bird? @WhatsthatUKbird]

@essexwindyfarm @_BTO @Natures_Voice Hi David, your #whatsthatbird is a male House Sparrow. Tree Sparrows have solid chestnut on the top of the head and you can make out the grey crown in this pic. Tree Sparrows have a small (chin only) bib and you can see this one developing his on the upper chest.

[What's that bird? @WhatsthatUKbird]

@thehstandsfor Apologies for such a delay in replying. New phone and lost passwords didn't help. Your #whatsthatbird is a Lapwing. They are also known as Peewit or Green Plover. Happy New Year and all the best for 2022.

[What's that bird? @WhatsthatUKbird]

@essexwindyfarm @_BTO @Natures_Voice Hi David, your #whatsthatbird is a male House Sparrow. Tree Sparrows have solid chestnut on the top of the head and you can make out the grey crown in this pic. Tree Sparrows have a small (chin only) bib and you can see this one developing his on the upper chest.

[What's that bird? @WhatsthatUKbird]

@carl_99 @Natures_Voice @britishbirds Amazing. Make sure to send it to @_BTO as they collect data on deformities I believe. Keep a regular water supply too. Be wonderful if you saw it on @Natures_Voice #BigGardenBirdWatch weekend.

[What's that bird? @WhatsthatUKbird]

@Binaryfunction @RSPBbirders This is a Sparrowhawk again. The barred chest is key with Kestrel being streaky as youngsters and looking spottier as an adult.

[What's that bird? @WhatsthatUKbird]

@carl_99 @Natures_Voice Probably a young one.

[What's that bird? @WhatsthatUKbird]

@carl_99 @Natures_Voice Possibly, can't see if the tail has damage from the nest (castellations) or just general wear and tear.

[What's that bird? @WhatsthatUKbird]

@carl_99 @Natures_Voice Would lean towards Reed Warbler as your #whatsthatbird Carl. Same toned head and wings. Broad bill base, pale throat, weak stripe above the eye are all good pointers.

[What's that bird? @WhatsthatUKbird]

@carl_99 @rspb Spot on Carl 👍

[What's that bird? @WhatsthatUKbird]

@500Sarah The blue streak will be new feathers coming through. If you have them in the garden its great to watch how the feathers change.

[What's that bird? @WhatsthatUKbird]

@500Sarah Of course Sarah. Your #whatsthatbird is a young Starling. It would have hatched a month or so ago and now out and about with the masses. They are a sooty brown tone all over but you can just make out those glossy darker feathers which are the new ones coming through on the wing.

[What's that bird? @WhatsthatUKbird]

@carl_99 @g2rm2002 @Natures_Voice @CarlBovisNature Male Reed Bunting bottom left corner?

[What's that bird? @WhatsthatUKbird]

@carl_99 @Natures_Voice Absolutely. Stunning adult male.