Fieldfare?

[tollybridge]

Hi, Im new here and recently have had two new birds in my garden. One is a greater spotted woodpecker which I got (a very wobbly) video of, fantastic. But Ive had another bird for about a week and I cant identify it. I think its a fieldfare but its very reddy/orange on its chest which pictures Ive seen of these birds dont have, is that what it could be?

It has a grey head, similar colour to a jackdaw and it has a white flash near its tail, It has spotty sides and orangey/red down the centre of its chest with darker patches either side.. It has a long tail and it hops. Its body is round like a robin and its very big.

I have some wobbly video shots but when ever I videod him he just sat still and stared at me so it didnt show a lot.

[astafjevs]

Thats him telling you he wants you to take a picture.

Could it be a redwing? Actually, now i've re-read it I reckon fieldfare might be more likely.

[PeterB]

Any chance you can post some of this video Bridget?

[tollybridge]

Thanks, Ive had a search through all the shots I have of him and have tried to get the best. I was leaning over the sink filming through the window so not very clear. If I went out he flew away.


The first one is a video of him watching me watching him. Hes at the top of the film just to the right.




Side view





This is the video of the woodpecker, its very wobbly because I have never in my life seen a woodpecker up close and could not believe one was on my apple tree. I have a dead walnut tree which he did go on eventually, he got a bit confused I think but as I filmed him I saw the other bird on the floor near the tree. I couldnt believe my luck.

[PeterB]

Yep, looks like a Fieldfare to me.

I hadn't realised that posting a link to a video works that way. good stuff.

[astafjevs]

Yep, definitely a fieldfare. Never seen one stay still for as long as that, I find them remarkably skittish. Although in the snowy spell last winter my Mum says she had a tame one in the garden that she put apples out for that would allow her to walk right past without flying off.

Great video of the woodpecker, too. Its not always easy to get such a good view of them (apart from when they're on a feeder)

[MIKE THROWER]

Fieldfare 100%, Doesn't look to clever to, possibly starved, hunger takes away a lot of fear.

[tollybridge]

He was around for about a week. He did fly about a lot and fed a lot too Just used to sit and stare at me. Wasnt sure what to put out because I looked it up and it said they ate insects but he was feeding under my apple tree so I put apples and sultanas out for him. I dont usually put food out for birds except the goldfinches because of my cat but this one came anyway. I'll keep an eye out see if he comes back, I hope hes not ill or starved.

Im so pleased, I remember my dad showing me fieldfares when I was a kid (too long ago for me to remember what they looked like) but havent seen one for years.

Heres one of him eating, he looks a bit livlier. I assumed it was a he because his chest is so bright.