Bird Ident

[Milvus]

My brother sent a pic today of a Dunnock taken at Rainham Marshes RSPB.
I would say this isn't a Dunnock. The beak is far too powerful. My view is a female Reed Bunting. Any other suggestions?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/40634294@N06/8259298978/in/photostream

[Gizmonster]

Use the RSPB bird identifier:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdidentifier/

[plowter]

Looks like a female tree sparrow on a grey day.

[Prudie]

I'd second female tree sparrow.

[Milvus]

Thanks Gizmonster. And if you used that, what did you find? I came up with Reed Bunting (possible) or Shrike (unlikely at this time of the year)

[Milvus]

Female tree sparrow should be in in the possibilities but they normally show a low collar on their breast. The beak is right though

[Gizmonster]

I didn't actually use the identifier - I posted the link 'cos I've used it before and it's very helpful. I did actually think it might be a sparrow though, although I am no expert on birds ......feathered and non-feathered types :P

[Milvus]

Thanks G. It's a tricky one in my mind. Have a go with the picture and the rspb identifier. What do you get? I worked with the beak

[plowter]

Being short and fat suggests sparrow.

Dunnock - Hedge Sparrow of old - tends to stay low to the ground, unliely to be in a tree.

Reed Bunting, they are more brown and have brown streaks on flanks.

Dull colours rule out corn bunting

Assuming it's not something unusual I'd go for female house sparrow, although beaks tend to be more yellow.

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/pictures/showphoto.php/photo/101644

[Milvus]

Thanks folks. I'll put Tree Sparrow (F) in the mix

[rowanwitch]

for a more accurate identifier try the one on the Surfbirds site...much more detail