help-a blue tit with black lines on chest in the uk (1 Viewer)

[katie n]

Hello all,
is there anyone who can help?
A couple of days ago a blue tit came to my feeding station, i get them alot so sure it was a blue tit but this time it had black vertical lines down its chest, just like someone had got a black pen and drawn lots of lines on him, he flew off and another came but he had black lines on his face but a normal chest.
I didnt get a pic and havent seen either since, does anyone have any ideas as to whatit might be? I know its awkward without a pic but hopefully someone will know.
Thank you.
katie

 

[KC Foggin]

Great Tit?

 

[Nutcracker]

Sounds like staining of some sort to me. Possibly pollen (some plants have blackish pollen), or oil / grease, or just wet from a recent bath.

 

[foresttwitcher]

I don't know if this is what you saw, of course, but any bird when some feathers are displaced for whatever reason will show the black / dark colour of the down below.

 

[KenM]

Adult male Blue Tits will show that plumage feature.

Cheers