Blackbird-like with pale head

Hi everyone,

Is anyone able to ID this bird? We saw it in Yeovil, Somerset the other day. At first we wondered if it was a rare Cowbird but it's the wrong shape. It looks like a blackbird, but I've never seen a blackbird with a pale head before, and it doesn't look like it's bald.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

  • I think it's probably a juvenile male Blackbird moulting into adult plumage. The head is often the last area to moult. Quite late in the year to see this but Blackbirds do often have several broods.

    Here's a photo I found of one in a similar state although this one rather surprisingly has already got its yellow bill.

    www.flickr.com/.../32142626306

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    Tony

    My Flickr Photostream