• Cjdales
  • 11 Mar 2023 11:06 PM
  • State Not Answered
  • Replies 11 replies
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Pink-winged birds. Any idea?

  • Driving through the outer parts of Sheffield today three of us saw a pair of gull-like birds in terms of size and shape (larger than a wood pigeon, with pointier wings). We think their bodies may have been a pale grey colour but their height made it difficult to say for sure, but the striking think was underside of their wings was clearly pink. 

    many ideas?
  • Peewit

    Welcome to the RSPB Forum

    I have to say your description brings up of many thoughts of many bird species makes me think of Terns for some reason but they are not city dwelling birds

    No doubt someone else will come up with other ideas.

    Regards

    Kathy and Dave

  • Cjdales
    Hi.
    Maybe. Though I didn’t think Terns would look so bright pink.
    We are right on the edge of the Peak District and so do from time-to-time get some birds unexpected for an urban area.
  • Peewit

    In reply to Cjdales:

    Might have been the sunlight that gave the illusion of the bird having pink underparts on its wings.

    Regards

    Kathy and Dave

  • Cjdales
    Hi.
    We did wonder that at first, but they kept changing direction, angling their wings, and the colour didn’t change.
  • Richard G B
    Maybe Collared Doves

    Richard B

  • Peewit
    Good point Richard - they have a pinky hue on the chest area

    Regards

    Kathy and Dave

  • Cjdales
    They had thinner pointier wings, and the pink colour was definitely on the underside of the wing.
    However, they were sort of fumbling around in the sky like pigeons tend to do.

    I wondered if they might have been some escaped pet birds (there are loads of green parakeets in this area. Maybe something else escaped).
  • Richard G B
    Collared Doves are a greyish colour on top and have a pinkish hue to their underparts, which fits in well with your description. They also fly in a similar way to pigeons.

    Richard B

  • Cjdales
    I think this is probably the most likely explanation.
    I never thought they could look quite so pink, but have researched online, I can’t think what else they could have been.
    I’m just a little confused by the gill-like wing shape. But maybe it was just the angle.

    Cheers everyone for your advice. I will sleep tonight having put this one to bed.
  • Cjdales
    *gull-like