Visiting an old school chum I spotted this bird. He thought it was a female 'yellowhammer' but it seems to lack enough yellow for me. It seems to match 'lapland bunting' to me but thought it would have been on its way home by now.
What do you reckon,
Regards, David
Looks like a reed bunting to me :-)
Millie & Fly the Border Collies
Hi David,
KatTai is on the money!
It is indeed a Reed Bunting
Regards Buzzard
Nature Is Amazing - Let Us Keep It That Way
I must agree with Kat Tai here, male Reed Bunting, on the way to attaining breeding plumage.
MC:-)
I bow to the Reed Bunting but it will be a female not a male as the male has a black cap. It is the ear coverts that do it with the obvious moustache markings.
Thanks guys, David
this link maybe of some assistance.
http://www.ibercajalav.net/img/451_ReedBuntingEschoeniclus.pdf
Hi Micky, There were other Male Reed Buntings present with full black caps, hence the female decision. It would seem odd to have 2/3 males in summer plumage and one odd winter male. Are you happy with that? David
Hi Buzzard,
Mmmmh! What a superb link! What is it, I tried to look at the home but it is 'not English'. Can you tell me how I can refer to other species in it. It would make a great book but mighty expensive!
David
Hi Dave,
Just for a change, I'm confident here. Look at the scattered black feathering on the breast, throat and head. This individual's not as advanced in abrasion and his "pre-nuptual" moult. I often see birds like this. Black-headed Gulls are another example. Have another link mate: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a912628373&db=all.
All the best,
davidmelville said: Hi Buzzard, Mmmmh! What a superb link! What is it, I tried to look at the home but it is 'not English'. Can you tell me how I can refer to other species in it. It would make a great book but mighty expensive! David
I have included this link for you.
I started a post some while back to assist folks in trying to sex and age some common birds.
It includes links to most of the popular garden species.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/forums/t/9736.aspx
Should you require anymore species drop me a note and I will include the links if they are available.
I identified your photo as a Female based on the number of Reed Buntings that I have ringed over the last few weeks.
99.9% of all the Males were showing Summer plumage, your photo in my opinion and eyesight shows characteristics of a Female, cream and black streaks on the back, hint of pale collar and cream stripe over eye.
Yes, I totally concede. You're quite correct. The amount of dark feathering misled me. I'm certainly not going to argue with in the hand sexing anyway! Sorry Dave, ignore my last load of twaddle!
Cheers,