Thanks guys, John yes willow also past my mind, the bird was a little bigger than a blue tit. i would say.
Cheers
Mark
Posted by Anthony House on April 17, 2008 at 5:02 PM
Willow Tit for me, the grey panel and the dull black cap.
I've 4 Marsh Tits at my feeders and they haven't got the grey wing panel, plus their caps are glossy... could be wrong though as they are hard to tell apart.....
Posted by John Robinson on April 17, 2008 at 5:22 PM
The thing that usually clinches Marsh, is a small white blob at the base of the upper mandible.(at the head end ) There doesn't appear to be one here.
Cheers
JohnR
Posted by Paul Inglis on April 17, 2008 at 5:42 PM
Hi Mark,
Very nice capture! It's a Marsh Tit!
Posted by Paul Thomas on April 17, 2008 at 7:55 PM
I have had this same discussion with some very eminent birders, I have shown them all photos of a definite marsh tit and half have said willow, and vice-versa, and they all say the only way to differentiate between marsh and willow tit definitively is by call. .
4 features to tell apart W from M
Matt/glossy - always difficult in lighting conditions to tell - but I would err on matt - tick
no 'bull necked appearance' - wrong angle in this shot to see - neutral
'pale window on wing' - yep definately has one - tick
size of 'bib' radiating out below beak - yes extends behind bill - tick
so in my book it is a Willow - as ever call/song is the id clincher in these similar bird species
John - I've never come across the white spot behind bill id criteria before - is this from ringing experience? interesting if true
Posted by John Robinson on April 18, 2008 at 4:48 AM
Mike
It was pointed out to me by the guy that runs the Worcester birding site a couple of months back. They are doing a special survey of the two in the county. I went through all my stuff and the mark was there on them all, which I had never noticed ! I.ll send you an E mail.
Cheers
John
Posted by John Robinson on April 18, 2008 at 5:15 AM
Mike
Tried to E mail but no attatchment facility so I'll put a pic on here. These are a selection going back quite a while from the thousands I have on file. Might not be very scientific but seems to work for me. ( Unless we have a unique strain in Wyre !
Posted by Dawn Monrose on April 18, 2008 at 5:57 AM
In my bird book its a willow tit...but hey, I've never seen one in the flesh...well not that I know of...
Is it true that marsh and willow sometimes inter-breed? Or is that just a myth?
Discussion
12 repliesCan anyone help with the identification
Thanks
Mark
Looks like a Marsh tit to me! Nice shot
Good picture anyway.
JohnR
Cheers
Mark
I've 4 Marsh Tits at my feeders and they haven't got the grey wing panel, plus their caps are glossy... could be wrong though as they are hard to tell apart.....
Cheers
JohnR
Very nice capture! It's a Marsh Tit!
Paul
Matt/glossy - always difficult in lighting conditions to tell - but I would err on matt - tick
no 'bull necked appearance' - wrong angle in this shot to see - neutral
'pale window on wing' - yep definately has one - tick
size of 'bib' radiating out below beak - yes extends behind bill - tick
so in my book it is a Willow - as ever call/song is the id clincher in these similar bird species
John - I've never come across the white spot behind bill id criteria before - is this from ringing experience? interesting if true
It was pointed out to me by the guy that runs the Worcester birding site a couple of months back. They are doing a special survey of the two in the county. I went through all my stuff and the mark was there on them all, which I had never noticed ! I.ll send you an E mail.
Cheers
John
Tried to E mail but no attatchment facility so I'll put a pic on here. These are a selection going back quite a while from the thousands I have on file. Might not be very scientific but seems to work for me. ( Unless we have a unique strain in Wyre !
Is it true that marsh and willow sometimes inter-breed? Or is that just a myth?
Nice shot BTW, lovely pose and eye contact!