Help identifying a bird please

Hello!

Can anyone help me in identifying the bird in this picture below please?

It was seen in early August 2019 whilst on holiday in Dawlish, Devon.

It was taken outside a cafe near some woodland.

The bird was about the size of a blackbird.Perhaps just a little smaller.

All help gratefully received.

Thank-you.

Andrew

  • It does Alan, on looking at it at first I though it was some fancy breed!
  • I agree with Alan and Catlady that it's juvenile Starling.

    It could be pollen. I encountered one in Ireland that had been feeding on New Zealand Flax (Phormium Tenax) but the yellow was only on its forehead.

    Yours looks as though its been bathing in it. Another possibility is some sort of pigment abnormality like Flavism.

  • Thank you very much everyone for taking the time to reply. I've benefited from your expertise and it's great to have the mystery solved.

    I Googled 'Juvenile Starling' after seeing Alan's response and could see how all the wing and chest markings matched; bill and body shape too.

    Any remaining doubt was then completely blown away by Tony's picture.

    Thanks again. It's very much appreciated.

    Andrew