I hope this pic comes out all right
my first posting, not a very good shot
photo taken through conservatory window
when the hide is out he wont come near the garden
I read your previous thread about this bird and was intrigued. Looking at him I would guess that it is africana Chaffinch??(collins bird guide p347).
EDIT: Having had a look at some images online here: http://www.warbler.phytoconsult.nl/afr_chaff.htm
Yours does look different. Finches can vary a fair bit in their plumage colour, this bird may even be a Greenfinch/Chaffinch cross breed. It may well be worth posting this image in the birdforum id section, I'm sure someone on there will give you a positive ID.
Quite a strange bird as it also exhibits signs of the grey head mantle over the shoulder region. The Maderan and African ssp are deeper blue headed than our 'finch, not sure that Chaffinch and Greenfich would hybridise, they have totally different display and morphology.
I thought it may have been pollen or something similarfrom winter flowering plants as sometimes happens, but clearly not - quite a bizar bird
Hello Tony
Your image of the Chaffinch has made me bury my head in the "Helm identification guide to finches and sparrows". The nearest I can see in that reference book is the Madeira and Azores ssp which have green mantles and also slightly larger bills (but these should be almost black in colour). Apart from that, nothing else comes near!!
It would be useful if you could try to obtain some more images of its back detail, and maybe in flight?
Best wishes
Phil
Discussion
9 repliesmy first posting, not a very good shot
photo taken through conservatory window
when the hide is out he wont come near the garden
canon 350d, 600mm f4 + 1.4 conv Gitzo G1325 black widow
ISO200 f5.6 1/320sec
I read your previous thread about this bird and was intrigued. Looking at him I would guess that it is africana Chaffinch??(collins bird guide p347).
EDIT: Having had a look at some images online here: http://www.warbler.phytoconsult.nl/afr_chaff.htm
Yours does look different. Finches can vary a fair bit in their plumage colour, this bird may even be a Greenfinch/Chaffinch cross breed. It may well be worth posting this image in the birdforum id section, I'm sure someone on there will give you a positive ID.
Regards
Rob
I thought it may have been pollen or something similarfrom winter flowering plants as sometimes happens, but clearly not - quite a bizar bird
Very interesting! I shall show this image to a few colleagues, as I'm sure people will be interested!
Your image of the Chaffinch has made me bury my head in the "Helm identification guide to finches and sparrows". The nearest I can see in that reference book is the Madeira and Azores ssp which have green mantles and also slightly larger bills (but these should be almost black in colour). Apart from that, nothing else comes near!!
It would be useful if you could try to obtain some more images of its back detail, and maybe in flight?
Best wishes
Phil
Bizarre!!! Thanks for posting
It isnt just a slightly greeny grey, but is a vivid green isnt it.
Pleased you managed to get your image uploaded.What a funky looking bird.Certainly never seen one of these before.
see here