Calderdale Birds: Odd Birds

Monday, January 09, 2012

These birds were seen by Christine Eves at Holywell Green.

A patchy Blackbird and a sooty great tit.

Matt Bell said...: It looks to me like the blackbird is leucistic, and the great tit may well be literally sooty - i.e. it could have been foraging somewhere where it has picked up coal dust or ash!; 10:06 pm
David Sutcliffe said...: The BTO has recently started an 'Abnormal Plumage Survey' and are asking for photo's of these abnormalities. I am sure they would be pleased to recieve your photos if you are able to send copies on to them.
Details can be found on the BTO web-site.
Matt could be right aabout the Great Tit - maybe its been down a chimney - or maybe not?; 10:51 pm
Bruce said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 10:18 am
Andrew Huyton said...: Other birds locally with similar abnormalities incl the blackbird up Northowram that was suspected as being a Ring Ouzel, a Rook up Norland which Howard told me about earlier today and several Carrion Crows knocking about High Royd sewage works. Be interesting to here of other birds and see how many species are affected locally.; 8:33 pm
Bruce said...: Updated Comment.
Apparently the "sooty" great tit is not soot as it has not changed for several weeks, so looks like a plumage abnormality.; 2:41 pm