Fieldfare Question.

[PeterB]

Spent a good hour today following, watching and photographing a flock of 40 or 50 Fieldfare busily feeding on Hawthorn berries.

I noticed about 2 or 3 of the birds were noticeably differently coloured and managed this side by side pic of the richer coloured birds. Are they a different sub or male/female or a juvenile? All the others were coloured like the bird on the right.

This wasn't a trick of the light, the different birds were identifiable with the naked eye.

[Dave Appleton]

There is minor variation between individuals with Fieldfare but I'm not sure what differences you're picking up on? There isn't much variation (between individuals, ages or sexes) in the basic colours and pattern - grey head, rusty brown back, grey rump, yellowy orange breast and throat, white belly, black markings on underparts, etc. but the intensity may vary a bit and the precise detail of marks. I'm not aware of any consistent differences between the sexes and even first-winters are pretty similar to adults - the only reliable way I know of ageing them is when first-winters show a contrast between old and new feathers in the greater coverts, though I understand first-winters tend to have a less distinct pale stripe over the eye on average.

[PeterB]

The main difference which stood out was the head colour. A dark grey as opposed to the silvery grey of the majority of the birds. The throat and chest was also a deeper orange, almost like a Redwing.

[Little Sparrow]

I cannot help with your question Peter but love the photo! They must have been a nice sight to see!

[aquila 1]

Hi Peter I can see what you mean, but as said fieldfares are normal all the same in patternation, and colour, the grey on head and nape is a silver grey, I think the one on the left may have been having a bath in a dirty pool, or picked up some other dark substance, nice picture though. best regards mac