Posted by Rob Howard on April 13, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Hi All,
Thought I would share this with you, its been hanging around my garden for a few weeks then disappeared, and today has shown up again, setting up home with a "normal" looking blue tit in a neighbours box. To be honest this image does not show how dark it looks in real life, its almost black !!
Been real busy with 9-5 so had little time with the camera, even a week in norfolk last week was a struggle to get out and take some shots !! Been keeping an eye on the forum though and the standard of work is still very high, so well done peeps
I’m a tad surprised, from what you say, that this bird appears to be breeding.
Without your observations I would have said that this bird was on its way out, doesn’t look healthy, also birds with vibrant colours, are invariable more successful breeders, as such colouring shows strength and fitness.
Would be interested as to how it does.
Still an excellent portrait, showing the Blue Tit superbly in its adopted urban habitat.
A couple of birder friends have looked at this and they feel it may be a X breed with an African specimen . Going by the very broad neck stripe and it's colouration.
Ray, honestly looks pretty healthy to me, bombing about, defending its patch and feeding well.
Another shot side on, showing a bit more of the plumage.
Regards
Rob
Posted by Dawn Monrose on April 13, 2009 at 3:49 PM
Very interesting! I take it the darkness is the actual colouration of the feathers and not that it's just dirty? The lighter blue on the wing feathers seems strange or different too.
It would be interesting to see it next to a 'regular' blue tit!
I don’t doubt you for a second, but you must admit it does look tatty, which usually equates to the grim reaper being just around the corner.
There is one thing which few ever factor into their comments, and where the poster has the advantage, only one person was actually there to know all the factors prevailing at the time, and see’s the “jaz” of the subject.
I would be very interested to know if this is finally identified as a cross, didn’t even know there was an African variant, let alone that they cross breed..
Posted by Lewis Thomson on April 13, 2009 at 5:47 PM
Hi Rob,
Interesting bird. Looks like a slight melanistic version of our own Blue Tits to me, rather than a cross. A more striking individual can be seen here: http://www.birdguides.com/iris/pictures.asp?v=1&f=7498
We had a group of birds like this at our local reserve but they were great tits, they were around the following year too so did not suffer too much for their colour, image here.
Discussion
9 repliesThought I would share this with you, its been hanging around my garden for a few weeks then disappeared, and today has shown up again, setting up home with a "normal" looking blue tit in a neighbours box. To be honest this image does not show how dark it looks in real life, its almost black !!
Been real busy with 9-5 so had little time with the camera, even a week in norfolk last week was a struggle to get out and take some shots !! Been keeping an eye on the forum though and the standard of work is still very high, so well done peeps
Regards
Rob
looking a bit fancy
Bertl
Without your observations I would have said that this bird was on its way out, doesn’t look healthy, also birds with vibrant colours, are invariable more successful breeders, as such colouring shows strength and fitness.
Would be interested as to how it does.
Still an excellent portrait, showing the Blue Tit superbly in its adopted urban habitat.
A couple of birder friends have looked at this and they feel it may be a X breed with an African specimen
Ray, honestly looks pretty healthy to me, bombing about, defending its patch and feeding well.
Another shot side on, showing a bit more of the plumage.
Regards
Rob
It would be interesting to see it next to a 'regular' blue tit!
The colours are def the plumage and not dirt, the lighter blue is almost neon, like Kingfisher blue.
Regards
Rob
I don’t doubt you for a second, but you must admit it does look tatty, which usually equates to the grim reaper being just around the corner.
There is one thing which few ever factor into their comments, and where the poster has the advantage, only one person was actually there to know all the factors prevailing at the time, and see’s the “jaz” of the subject.
I would be very interested to know if this is finally identified as a cross, didn’t even know there was an African variant, let alone that they cross breed..
Hi Rob,
Interesting bird. Looks like a slight melanistic version of our own Blue Tits to me, rather than a cross. A more striking individual can be seen here: http://www.birdguides.com/iris/pictures.asp?v=1&f=7498
Cheers,
Lewis.
We had a group of birds like this at our local reserve but they were great tits, they were around the following year too so did not suffer too much for their colour, image here.
http://www.pbase.com/bmcgeough/image/40578294
Cheers
Brian