Mystery Black Birds.

[Bigbad]

I was watching some sparrows earlier. I think they were sparrows, but I haven’t seen one in years.
Anyway, with the group were two slightly smaller birds, but black with very slightly silvery feathers on the wings and breast.
Anyone know what they could be?

Thanks.

[Buenchico]

'Silvery feathers' suggests starlings to me.
http://voice.gardenbird.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Starling-Sturnus-vulgaris.jpg

[237SJ]

Starlings are bigger than sparrows though

[Buenchico]

^^^ The one that my cat killed this morning wasn't!

[Buenchico]

Applying the search filters here might help to identify the birds:
https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/identify-a-bird/

[Prudie]

If you don't know sparrows is there a bird you do know for the size comparison ie were these robin sized for example?

[hereIam]

If they were smaller than sparrows, then they were very small and I can't think of a bird like the one you described.

[Bigbad]

They weren't starlings.
They were just slightly smaller than the sparrows, black (same as a male blackbird) with just a few silvery (or lighter than black) feathers.
They were very shuffly, hoppy and flappy though.
Rather like a fledgling is.

I drew a blank with the RSPB link, Buenchico. Thanks anyway.
Where it says "where did you see it" there wasn't an option for McDonalds car park!!

[Patsy33]

Wagtail?

[Bigbad]

I'm reasonably sure the brown ones were sparrows, even though I've not seen any for years.
I looked online for pictures before I posted my question.
Ooooh! Do you think I've discovered a new species?!!

[Patsy33]

Pied Wagtail

https://goo.gl/images/vC7dBH

[ladybirder]

It doesn't really fit the description but it wasn't a Dunnock was it? They can usually be found foraging under hedges.

[Bigbad]

Thanks Patsy, but no, I know what a wagtail is and what most garden birds are, and I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen these before.
I assume there is no such thing as a black sparrow. A search just throws up sparrows and blackbirds, and for some reason, finches too.

[Patsy33]

Apart from a ufo, I can't help you.. :-)

[Prudie]

No chance it was a male Black Redstart? - they are quite rare though

[-Talbot-]

Coal tit?

[douglas9401]

Could it have been the Three Degrees? Not instantly recognisable these days.

[Barmaid]

Long tailed tits?

They look quite black from behind/the back.

https://goo.gl/images/5VGsbF

[ladybirder]

Male Blackcap? They winter here nowadays.

[Bigbad]

No to all, but thanks any way.
I stop off at that branch of McDonald’s to use the loo every time I go that way. ( Where, having used their nice clean loo, I buy a bottle of water, and tip it in the kettle when I get home).
I’ll keep a look out and see if there is anything to add to the description.

[melv16]

I'll second male black cap.