Blackbird with white cheeks, Tamworth UK (1 Viewer)

[Yeti]

Hi All

I spotted a bird on my local patch this weekend and wondered if you could help. It was like a blackbird but it had white patches on each side of it's neck. I've looked through my books and the RSPB website but nothing came up.

I've only just returned to birding after a 20 year break so I'm very rusty, forgive me for wasting your time if the answers obvious.

It's probably, as the title suggests, a blackbird with white patches, but I've not seen one of these before.

Thanks

EDIT News. I relaise I didn't adhere to the rule of stating location in the title, I can't edit it now so I'm sorry about that. The location is Tamworth, UK. Sorry again.

 

[robinm]

Blackbirds with some white feathers are quite common, so I expect that is what it is.

If you can get a photo and post it here then we will almost certainly be able to confirm this.

 

[nickderry]

yes, blackbirds showing varying amounts of white aren't that rare - though often a surprise when seen! Some are even all white! See here:

http://www.the-soc.org.uk/images/extra/blackbird-carnoustie-jun08b.jpg
http://www.freewebs.com/suebryan/Leucistic-Blackbird-(2)-Kin.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3414/3578802008_8897365613.jpg


Welcome to Birdforum by the way!

 

[DaveN]

Here's one I found earlier last year.

 

[midlands birder]

there is a photo on birdguides of a blackbird with white cheeks, recently uploaded... may look similar to your bird.....
MB

 

[midlands birder]

http://www.birdguides.com/iris/pictures.asp and search for blackbird