Female Chaffinch - (Fringilla coelebs)

I had forgot just how colourful some of the UK birds can be. Taken in Scotland recently, I think she was somewhat 'startled' by the shutter going off, as looked directly down the barrel of lens. I am sure the BG maybe in question, but the location/position meant I could not move left or right and in fact it was some silver birch tress that were the 'offending' objects, but I don't mind it.

MY thanks goes to JR who kindly re confirmed the ID, as I really am not up to speed.

Steve
MKIII 500f/4 1/125 f/8 ISO400 Gitzo tripod Wimberley head full frame (early pm)

Nice! I agree - chaffinches are superb little birds, despite being so common here. The bright bits in the background are a little distracting - not sure if you could tone them down a bit. Where I am, these will just about land on your lens.

I had to look twice at this, but it is indeed a female chaffinch. Nice perch and pose.

However, there is something strange going on; either with the image colour balance, or it is an extremely odd plumaged bird - Female Chaffies have pale warm brown toned upperparts and are dirty grey underneath. Not sure where the bright yellow tones under the tail are coming from the blue on the shoulder may be from reflected overhead skies, but I suspect your colour balance is some way off the mark as all the wing flashes and bars should also be white not yellow

Mike the colour balance is OK, this is why I was confused about what the bird could be, however having asked two people if they could ID the bird, both came back with F Chaf.

Any oil seed rape fields near the location - may be pollen staining perhaps

normal bird by Vince

Interesting comments - the colour look typical of what I see. I've just looked at a print on my wall which clearly has yellow wing bars. Not fluorescent, but definitely yellow. Maybe a Scottish thing?

Lovely shot of this rarely photographed bird, lovely perch and detail

Guys the wingtips are yellow. Am happy (as per my email to Mike) to forward a more 'larger file' to whoever for ID.

Steve

Stephen
I don't hthink there's a problem. Its partly to do with the angle you look at the birds at. Straight on (square to ), and the whites look whiter. Get them on the angle and they appear more yellow.
I,ve just been though a load of my old stuff and I am sure that's what it is.
Still a chaffinch whatever !!Cheers
John

Cheers John

I know this one is side on, however it was taken just after the one I had posted to you.

Cheers
steve

Deffo a female chaffinch Steve - I've got the male partner that landed a few seconds after.

Must admit now I'm at home on a calibrated laptop the undertail/vent feathers don't have such a strong yellow cast. No doubt it is a Chaffie - I should have learnt by now not to trust uncalibrated equipment!

Mike
I don't have callibrated gear and I.m colour blind anyway so don't worry about it !
John