Richardtr3a Posted January 20 Report Share Posted January 20 I have a wild bird feeding tray in the garden. There are fat balls hanging and some different small local wild birds will all eat at the same time. Once the big black birds arrive the small ones hide in the garden trees. The blackbirds do not stay long and if I open the back door they fly away. I enjoy watching them from inside the house which is warmer than the garden. But there is one who feeds occasionally. I have a small book with pictures of many small birds and I can not find a correct picture. The nearest match with the correct colours on the head and back is the Willow Tit. BUT the picture does not show the bright red feathers on the back end under the tail. Is there anyone on the TR forum who can help me identify my visitor who is very welcome ? Thanks Richard & B Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted January 20 Report Share Posted January 20 Hi Richard,# not a good description. The woodpeckers have the red rump feathers but are much bigger than any tit. There are many birds with red on the breast going down to the rump. Can you get a photo. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted January 20 Report Share Posted January 20 (edited) Hi Richard, a little bigger than a tit - how about the fieldfare https://www.google.com/search?q=Redwing&sca_esv=600101668&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&vet=1&fir=MwDATkGXMJiDQM%2ClR8HHLP1PeUdEM%2C%2Fm%2F0199hd%3B0hlEe-i-JTha5M%2CJVUzjWYgiMT5PM%2C_%3BRP0lGMQkFfixOM%2CJVUzjWYgiMT5PM%2C_%3BVcq02OYjaTFvAM%2CKg05e2TcagccrM%2C_%3BkDeWnwJ-1GbRsM%2CbgBqo9IL4VA2-M%2C_%3BgkZqHgcK_FMSAM%2CO1qCPZ0D9zTSUM%2C_&usg=AI4_-kRgn0CWDeXw7vJvJun5szhxB_p4fQ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjJ54fVzOyDAxUzUkEAHaDTBr8Q_B16BAhIEAE#imgrc=MwDATkGXMJiDQM Edited January 20 by RogerH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Peter V W Posted January 20 Report Share Posted January 20 Richard, This is a woodpecker in my garden. is it like your bird? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
iain Posted January 20 Report Share Posted January 20 42 minutes ago, Richardtr3a said: I have a wild bird feeding tray in the garden. There are fat balls hanging and some different small local wild birds will all eat at the same time. Once the big black birds arrive the small ones hide in the garden trees. The blackbirds do not stay long and if I open the back door they fly away. I enjoy watching them from inside the house which is warmer than the garden. But there is one who feeds occasionally. I have a small book with pictures of many small birds and I can not find a correct picture. The nearest match with the correct colours on the head and back is the Willow Tit. BUT the picture does not show the bright red feathers on the back end under the tail. Is there anyone on the TR forum who can help me identify my visitor who is very welcome ? Thanks Richard & B 43 minutes ago, Richardtr3a said: I have a wild bird feeding tray in the garden. There are fat balls hanging and some different small local wild birds will all eat at the same time. Once the big black birds arrive the small ones hide in the garden trees. The blackbirds do not stay long and if I open the back door they fly away. I enjoy watching them from inside the house which is warmer than the garden. But there is one who feeds occasionally. I have a small book with pictures of many small birds and I can not find a correct picture. The nearest match with the correct colours on the head and back is the Willow Tit. BUT the picture does not show the bright red feathers on the back end under the tail. Is there anyone on the TR forum who can help me identify my visitor who is very welcome ? Thanks Richard & B Based on your size description…. Not a red rump but a pinkish hue, communal feeders, often in family groups are Long tailed tits? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rod1883 Posted January 20 Report Share Posted January 20 Nuthatch? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richardtr3a Posted January 21 Author Report Share Posted January 21 Hi All, Thank you for the fast replies. The weather is not so cold today so things are busy on the feeder tray. Thanks to Iain and Rod and it looks as if they have taken these pictures at home. Peter VW Your picture of a woodpecker is just right. My book of song birds has over 50 different wild birds and no woodpeckers. Your picture shows the correct black/white head, the back feathers and the red feathers under the tail. I have just now put out the fat balls and there are a group varied small birds but no signs of the Woodpecker yet Where do they sleep ?? Richard & B Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted January 21 Report Share Posted January 21 15 hours ago, RogerH said: Hi Richard,# not a good description. The woodpeckers have the red rump feathers but are much bigger than any tit. There are many birds with red on the breast going down to the rump. Can you get a photo. Roger Hi Richard, a Woodpecker is the size of an Albatross not a Willow Tit. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rod1883 Posted January 21 Report Share Posted January 21 Richard - my pic was lifted from t'internet - I've seen Nuthatches locally but rarely in the garden. If you think it's a Greater Spotted woodpecker then it would be almost as big as a Blackbird as a guide. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
james christie Posted January 21 Report Share Posted January 21 The description of the size of the beast is a little confusing. There is a world of difference between a Willow Tit and a Greater Spotted Woodpecker, which is part of the crow family. They often come to birdtables - and frighten everybody else off. How about a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, size of a sparrow, fairly common but I have never seen one at a feeder or bird table. james Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rod1883 Posted January 21 Report Share Posted January 21 I initially wondered about a Lesser Spotted too James - but they are quite rare, although I've seen one at the Pulborough RSPB reserve, plus they don't have the red feathers under the tail which was part of Richard's description Quote Link to post Share on other sites
iain Posted January 21 Report Share Posted January 21 2 minutes ago, Rod1883 said: I initially wondered about a Lesser Spotted too James - but they are quite rare, although I've seen one at the Pulborough RSPB reserve, plus they don't have the red feathers under the tail which was part of Richard's description +1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john.r.davies Posted January 21 Report Share Posted January 21 Richard, May I recommend as a useful guide "The Birds of Britain and Europe"? EG: https://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/r-s-r-fitter/birds-of-britain-and-europe/9780002120340?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=18059580451&cq_con=&cq_med=pla&cq_plac=&cq_net=x&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnrOtBhDIARIsAFsSe51RowpuH_SBNNpr1erNzMQtQMNPRmO8ZkHhbhUHaN4wf_nufhWf0HkaAolvEALw_wcB#GOR003877078 Mine is getting very worn - I might buy this copy! Each page of description has one of pictures opposite, and it lists 'distinguishing features' for each group like the Spotted Woodpeckers where they are similar. Those say, "Red under tail: Greater Spotted" In East Sussex you might have seen a Middle Spotted migrant from Europe, but that is the same size at the Greater, nine inches. Other species similarly marked, the White-backed and Syrian, live too far away. PeterVW showed a Greater Spotted - this is a Middle spotted (Not my pic!) If that is what you saw, it would be worth contacting your local birder club, as this would be a great "twitch"! John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richardtr3a Posted January 21 Author Report Share Posted January 21 Thanks for the pictures. Peter VW sent me a good picture with the same colours as my visitor and I have a similar dispenser which helps to judge the size of my local bird. Is this a special woodpecker ? Mine has the same markings on his head and if he allows me out in the garden I will take a picture next time he arrives. Since I posted here he has not come back for any food. The small garden birds are all gathering for the fat balls and they empty the seed dispenser in about three hours. The sky is clouding over and it looks like some bad weather is coming soon. Thanks Richard & B Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted January 21 Report Share Posted January 21 Hi Richard, not a rare woodpecker. Though woodpeckers are not two a penny. Yours is the Greater Spotted Woody and is the most common They tend to go to many feeding areas so you may not see him again this year. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john.r.davies Posted January 21 Report Share Posted January 21 Listen in February for them 'drumming' . It's territorial and mating behaviour. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rod1883 Posted January 21 Report Share Posted January 21 Already drumming here in West Sussex John. I've heard the sound for quite a few days now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richardtr3a Posted January 22 Author Report Share Posted January 22 Strong wind last night and I was worried that trees could blow over during the emergency. But this morning it is quiet and normal but no Woodpeckers. I am keeping a close watch. Thanks Richard & B Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Harbottle Posted January 22 Report Share Posted January 22 If you put out peanuts as well as fat you will attract woodpeckers and many other species, although peanuts are not cheap these days Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted January 22 Report Share Posted January 22 How about a redwing? About the size of the blackbird. Usually strips all the berries off the bushes this time of year. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Peter Cobbold Posted April 1 Report Share Posted April 1 A pair of these has been feeding on the bird table all winter. Son in law and grandson are both 'ringers' so we know we have a pair. Mealworms odered. Its a red list species. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted April 1 Report Share Posted April 1 Hi Peter it looks like a BlackCap. But I didn't know they were red listed. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rod1883 Posted April 1 Report Share Posted April 1 Willow Tit or Marsh Tit I think, both red listed Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Peter Cobbold Posted April 1 Report Share Posted April 1 27 minutes ago, Rod1883 said: Willow Tit or Marsh Tit I think, both red listed They are Willow Tits. It was only when they were in the hand ( for ringing) that id was definite. They are thought not to compete with other tits for food but the ringing session caught ca 100 all using the same table. Maybe they dont like hanging bird feeders. Peter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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