Sorry it is such a poor image but can anyone identify this bird? We are in southern England and it appeared on my bird feeder. It has very long legs, a small head with a disproportionately large beak. The beak was long enough to reach the fat balls. It was a bit scruffy looking.
Yes, I see those long legs. You guys have another bird that is black and has long legs, but they have red bills (a chough), as I recall but I am pretty sure that it isn't that. I still have a feeling that it could be an immature rook. It is standing so tall because he is trying to reach the food. I doubt that he normally stands so tall. Well, perhaps the habitat isn't correct but i do not know that. All I know about your birds I learn from The "Watches" and other British nature shows that we get here. In fact perhaps you could send the piccy in during the upcoming "Fallwatch". Anyway...It is a good picture and stimulates brain-work and discussion.
Sjoerd is right that it's a juvenile rook you've had visiting you. It will get the 'jodhpurs' on it's legs when it moults into its adult plumage. The feathers will also turn glossy black once it's fully mature.
Thank you Eileen and Sjoerd. That seems to explain it for me. Interesting you mention the Chough Sjoerd because there are three on the coat of arms of my home city, Canterbury.
Wow Rad !! That is a coincidence, isn't it. One doesn't see the chough often. Is it on the protected list there? I find it an interesting bird. I saw a piece on it on one of the 'watches a couple of years ago. The family featured were out in the countryside somewhere I believe, so I wonder if it is a common site in areas inhabited with humans.
@Sjoerd As far as I know Sjoerd, Choughs (chuffs) are not protected and don't need to be. Their main habitats are in the west of the UK and in Northern Ireland and The Isle of Man. The RSPB website reports that there are around 400,000 breeding pairs so they don't seem to be under threat. The choughs appear in the city coat of arms as a link to Thomas Becket (murdered in the Cathedral in 1170) whose personal coat of arms also included 3 choughs. End of history lesson
No, but I like that sort of Hx lesson. Thanks mate. I don't know why I should think that the choughs were endangered...with 400,000 breeding pairs--it doesn't look likely...as you said.Thanks for that info as well.
