Most possibly as Barry Corless is right with Juvenile Blackcap. There were 2 of them flitting about the wild willow bushes 15 metres from the banks of the Irwell opposite side from M.E.L, Chloride n Pilkingtons tiles. The tufting of the head appeared more pronounced than in the picture, but I was whizzing by on bicycle. it was over a week ago, and I have been down a few times since and ironically I saw an adult Blackcap yesterday, 2 Jays and the 2Peregrines.
Thanks Barry! It was driving me mad not knowing.
Damian Young said
Wed May 10 8:13 AM, 2017
Escaped Black Tufted Titmouse perhaps?
Bill Beckwith said
Tue May 9 8:36 PM, 2017
I would say it looks definately looks like a male blackcap.
Simon Gough said
Tue May 9 2:44 PM, 2017
I love these ID challenges, we haven't had one for a while.
What was the bird doing and what exact kind of habitat was it in, i.e. trees, or a bush/hedge, or on the ground, in flight etc?
Did it make any noise?
Just want to check it wasn't a Waxwing too, while we're at it? Don King has grey hair, not black so if this is a bird with a grey body and grey 'hair' then could be Waxwing in dull light
Colin Beaver said
Tue May 9 12:29 PM, 2017
Not a Blackcap. A friend suggested that but no. The hair on its head is thick and tight exactly like a short turks head brush and somewhat like boxing promoter Don King. The body had no other colouring but grey. Have looked all the bird sightings on the RSPB website for this year and its non of them. Have been looking through numerous picture of british Asian and European birds and still no l
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 9th of May 2017 03:06:17 PM
Simon Gough said
Tue May 9 12:01 PM, 2017
Apologies for being flippant before.
The picture on the link looks more like an adult male Blackcap, which is also what the description sounds exactly like. The picture looks badly captioned, juvenile Blackcaps normally have a brown cap like the female. At this time of year it would surely need to be a very early fledgling to be a juvenile anyway.
Hope this helps
Barry Corless said
Tue May 9 11:31 AM, 2017
Sounds like a juvenile Blackcap
see here https://www.rspb.org.uk/community/getinvolved/love_nature/m/love_nature_calendar_2013/449993.aspx
Julian Winstanley said
Tue May 9 10:22 AM, 2017
my immediate though was either blackcap or a tit - either willow tit or marsh tit. Depends on habitat
the rspb bird identifier is very useful in cases like this, I use it a lot
Spotted in the area between Clifton Country pk. and Drinkwater pk. Slightly larger than a sparrow, all grey plumage with a black tuft of hair like a brush on top of head.
Most possibly as Barry Corless is right with Juvenile Blackcap. There were 2 of them flitting about the wild willow bushes 15 metres from the banks of the Irwell opposite side from M.E.L, Chloride n Pilkingtons tiles. The tufting of the head appeared more pronounced than in the picture, but I was whizzing by on bicycle. it was over a week ago, and I have been down a few times since and ironically I saw an adult Blackcap yesterday, 2 Jays and the 2Peregrines.
Thanks Barry! It was driving me mad not knowing.
I would say it looks definately looks like a male blackcap.
What was the bird doing and what exact kind of habitat was it in, i.e. trees, or a bush/hedge, or on the ground, in flight etc?
Did it make any noise?
Just want to check it wasn't a Waxwing too, while we're at it? Don King has grey hair, not black so if this is a bird with a grey body and grey 'hair' then could be Waxwing in dull light
Not a Blackcap. A friend suggested that but no. The hair on its head is thick and tight exactly like a short turks head brush and somewhat like boxing promoter Don King. The body had no other colouring but grey. Have looked all the bird sightings on the RSPB website for this year and its non of them. Have been looking through numerous picture of british Asian and European birds and still no l
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 9th of May 2017 03:06:17 PM
The picture on the link looks more like an adult male Blackcap, which is also what the description sounds exactly like. The picture looks badly captioned, juvenile Blackcaps normally have a brown cap like the female. At this time of year it would surely need to be a very early fledgling to be a juvenile anyway.
Hope this helps
see here https://www.rspb.org.uk/community/getinvolved/love_nature/m/love_nature_calendar_2013/449993.aspx
the rspb bird identifier is very useful in cases like this, I use it a lot
www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/bird-and-wildlife-guides/bird-identifier/
Spotted in the area between Clifton Country pk. and Drinkwater pk. Slightly larger than a sparrow, all grey plumage with a black tuft of hair like a brush on top of head.