A new bird has turned up in my garden and I can't identify it. This is the first in 4 years at this site.
First impression was a Goldfinch/Greenfinch but wrong beak and markings.
A small, sparrow-like bird. Similar colouring. Lighter build than a sparrow. Very sleek-looking. Solo.
Longer, thinner black beak. No cry. Restless without being jittery. Was panting - hot day.
Two rough yellow stripes along each wing.
A symmetrical matt black pattern across the lower half of the back. About 3-4mm wide lines in an "inverted lyre" pattern. Looked as if it had been stencilled on.
There are birds of similar appearance in my garden; Sparrows, New Holland Honeyeaters, Butterbums. Not one of them.
Only one sighting. Not with other birds although the garden was very "busy" at the time.
No opportunity to photgraph - was looking through a venetian blind...
Can you tell us where you are please?
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Sorry... I'm in Epping, Victoria. Northern edge of Melbourne. Old, rocky farmland... few trees.
That's a tough one. I agree with your first impression though. Possibly an escapee of some type of species?
Curtis
I'll check what they have at the petshop.
I've put out water where I saw it, so maybe he'll be back.
Thanks for your time and effort, folks.
Can I ask about the beak, there is a big difference between a Sparrow/Finch beak and the curved long beak of a Honeyeater. Which shape do you think it was more like? The pattern was on the back, or also on chest?
M-L
The beak was straight (not like a spinebill/honeyeater). Black. About 10mm long and thin.
The pattern was visible on the lower back with the wings closed; so I assume it was actually on the wings. The pattern wasn't as apparent from the side. It was quite an arresting sight from behind, though.
The underside was buff, like a sparrow.
At this stage no idea, first I thought Treecreeper, but the pattern is not on the back. I'll keep on thinking.
M-L
Could it be a cisticola?
- soakes
soakes
Olinda, Victoria, Australia
I would suggest a sitella.
Thanks for your suggestions.
The Sitella is white underneath, whereas my bird was buff, like a sparrow.
The cisticola lacks the yellow on the wings and the pattern on the back.
There's nothing like the bird I saw at the local pet shop, either.
Hi petermal. You've indeed thrown out a challenge. A couple of questions: In what strata of the vegetation was this bird? Have you tried using Bird Finder on this site?
The bird was sitting on the paling fence between my house and the next. The fence is between my courtyard and his yard.
The bird was looking around, which is how I saw both side- and back-view.
Before I could fire up the camera it was gone. It hasn't returned.
I've had no success with the Bird Finder.
LIke you, petermal, I'm none the wiser, in spite of your information. From way out in left field take a look at Richard's pipit & singing bushlark. Any similarities?
We used to have Richard's Pipits here until they were built over; I miss their singing. Too big to be my bird. More a sparrow/canary size/shape. The Pipits I saw were more like a thrush.
I'll look up the singing bushlark; don't know that one.
Hi pete man one question , how long have you been looking at birds ....4
See it! Hear it!
Mid-North Coast NSW
Sorry for being forward , but - no but 's - fact's -time of year ,yellow on wings,with black trim, rocky farm country ,
Just maybe a Immature Gold finch. .
See it! Hear it!
Mid-North Coast NSW
>>darinnightowl
Having squinted at the plate in my Simpson and Day (and remembering how poor the colour-matching usually is), I think you could be right. The beak's not the same, I'm sure it was black, but it was panting.
It's a first for me around here. Haven't seen a Goldfinch in the wild in ages.
Sorry it wasn't something more exotic. Thanks everyone who chipped in.
All good mate, it's just a bit of fun to be had by all.
See it! Hear it!
Mid-North Coast NSW