A few more I caught in Central Scotland (1 Viewer)

[ian38018]

Here are a few more I caught in Central Scotland recently.
I guessed:
Hobby
Sparrowhawk
Corn Bunting
A fat fluffy something
Chaffinch.

 

[mummymonkey]

Buzzard, kestrel, reed bunting, chaffinch, chaffinch.

 

[ian38018]

Buzzard, kestrel, reed bunting, chaffinch, chaffinch.

So - I got 1/5
Early Days.
My book has a Reed Bunting with a black beak & head - is this a male/female thing?

Thanks.

 

[wheatearlp]

So - I got 1/5
Early Days.
My book has a Reed Bunting with a black beak & head - is this a male/female thing?

Thanks.

Yes. Pic 4 is a female, pic 5 is a male.

 

[Welsh Peregrine]

Male Reed Buntings have a black head in breeding plumage, which develops by feather fringes wearing off. Females do not have a black head.

 

[Andy Lakin]

So - I got 1/5
Early Days.
My book has a Reed Bunting with a black beak & head - is this a male/female thing?

Thanks.

If your birdguide shows only certain sexes of some species you might want to purchase something like the Collins Bird Guide book, the earlier editions will be fine for an inexperienced birdwatcher if you want to save a few quid. Alternatively the Collins app is fantastic and contains all the common calls/ songs. Trying to identify the sexes of different species will improve your knowledge greatly even if it is quite tricky initially!

 

[ian38018]

If your birdguide shows only certain sexes of some species you might want to purchase something like the Collins Bird Guide book, the earlier editions will be fine for an inexperienced birdwatcher if you want to save a few quid. Alternatively the Collins app is fantastic and contains all the common calls/ songs. Trying to identify the sexes of different species will improve your knowledge greatly even if it is quite tricky initially!

Thanks for that good advice.

 

[ian38018]

OK - last one for a wee while. I know this is a Thrush. But what type?
The rounded body shape of this one suggests a Song Thrush (from the pic in my book), but the pale eye ring suggests a Mistle Thrush.

 

[aeshna5]

Mistle Thrush.

 

[RichieTwitchy]

Thanks for that good advice.

As well as what a bird 'looks' like, what also helps 'in the field' is watching how the bird behaves, moves, flies, feeds, the habitat it's in and of course, any calls it makes.

In the field you will gain lots of experience doing this and, as much as taking a photo of a bird and then finding out what it is is a really helpful thing, your own skills will improve and you'll become a better birder

 

[ian38018]

As well as what a bird 'looks' like, what also helps 'in the field' is watching how the bird behaves, moves, flies, feeds, the habitat it's in and of course, any calls it makes.

In the field you will gain lots of experience doing this and, as much as taking a photo of a bird and then finding out what it is is a really helpful thing, your own skills will improve and you'll become a better birder

Thanks, Folks - here is another poor pic. Looking at the greyish head, have I caught a jackdaw here?

 

[Julie50]

Looks like a jackdaw for me. For pic 1 the give away for a buzzard, there are light and dark versions, is the lighter “U” shape on the front.

 

[ian38018]

Looks like a jackdaw for me. For pic 1 the give away for a buzzard, there are light and dark versions, is the lighter “U” shape on the front.

Thanks Julie. These "giveaway" tips are really useful. Books only tell you so much.
Ian