Little brown bird

Hi Sparrow

Don't be so hard on yourself - as Squirrel says it's easily done.  I've posted some doosies myself on here.

Look on the bright side, you had a new bird in the garden Yeh! regardless of what it was! 

Hi Pepsi,

Thanks for the suggestion, and welcome to the forum. I'm also new, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

I have never seen a female blackcap, so have looked it up in my various books. I really don't think it was, and I didn't notice any rusty cap. I am still on the lookout in case he comes again, but am becoming more certain it was a robin and I just didn't see his red bits! The more certain I become, the more foolish I feel!!!!

Hi Sparrow

Was really excited to read your post as saw a completely dark chocolate brown bird with black head today and have never seen anything like it before.  You seem  resigned to the fact that you saw a young Robin but to me that would be a lighter brown so maybe not the same bird.

We NEVER get birds in our garden as on a newish estate (apart from below) as not many trees...This week put more bread, cake and fat on bird table than usual. For over a year now been trying to ID a little speckled bird that's been coming to my garden. Anyway, finally decided could be a Meadow Pippit and while keeping still trying to take a photo first saw a female Blackbird (normally a big deal - really!!) then a Wren on the Sky dish and on to the bird table (more than exciting and rare round here!!) then my little friend the Pippit(??).

Anyway popped out to clear more snow off the bird table and noticed a small, dark bird hovering/ flapping in the corner of my neighbour's window. Didn't think much of it as probably disturbed it and it flew towards window?? Anyway when I got in it flew towards my window and again hovered in the coner of patio door. I got quite a close up view for a couple of seconds and what struck me was the vivid, ALL OVER dark, chocolate brown colour graduating into a deep brown/nearly black head. Also it seemed to have a big head and would actually describe it as quite rounded unless its' feathers were fluffed up due to the cold but it seemd quite fat!! Also due to the flapping near the window it seemed young (is that possible this time of year??) and lost! If you saw, for example an Oriental bird, in your garden you would know it was something special and out of place. That is how I felt i.e. just knew it was so unusual. If anyone can fill me in I would love to know and it could stop me wondering forever!! Thank you.

Hi Buckaroo

I wonder whether what you saw was a reed bunting. Although a waterside dwelling bird there have been reports of them coming into gardens in search of food.

Take a look at this photo to see if it was anything like what you saw.

Birds will often huddle against houses. That little extra warmth can be a life saver.

Welcome to the forum.

Hello Ktbow,

Welcome to the forum. I hope you enjoy it here. Everyone is very friendly.

Thank you for your reply. The bird may well have been a young robin, but I think it was a bit late in the year (end of November). It may also have been an older robin, hiding his red bits from me! I was watching him from an upstairs window and therefore looking down on him, but I normaly can see the red bits from up there!