This is a companion to my other Bird of the Day blog, which focuses on birds I have seen in Victoria, Canada.

With the amount of time we have been spending in London lately, I decided it was time to get out my camera and broaden my knowledge of birds of England.

Saturday, April 22, 2023

White Wagtail

 Motacilla alba



Appearance
Black, white and grey plumage 
Black throat and crown
White face

So, apparently there are nine subspecies of White Wagtail. The Moticilla alba yarrellii (Pied Wagtail) is the most common in the UK. However, the Motacilla alba alba (White Wagtail), which is found in continental Europe, migrates through Britain from early March to May and again from mid-August to early November.  Your guess is as good as mine which one this is.  I saw it in Thame, Oxfordshire today. 

Learn more about the White Wagtail

Friday, April 14, 2023

Gray Wagtail

Motacilla cinerea



Appearance
Long black and white tail
Gray head and back
Bright yellow belly and vent
Breeding male
     Black throat
     White moustache

While visiting the picturesque village of Castle Combe in the Cotswolds, I spied this bird walking along the shoreline of the river. Not surprisingly, its tail was wagging up and down incessantly. 

Learn more about the Gray Wagtail

Sunday, April 14, 2019

Eurasian Wren

Troglodytes troglodytes


Appearance:
Tiny bird
Rufous brown above
Greyish below
Dark brown and grey bars
Dark brown bill
Pale brown legs 

Listen to it’s call.


This is the only member of the wren family found in Europe or for that matter outside of Americas. If you think the Eurasian Wren looks identical to the Pacific Wren found in North America, you aren’t alone. In fact, they were considered the same species until 2010.


Learn more about the Eurasian Wren.

Saturday, April 13, 2019

Great Tit

Paris major


Appearance:
Black head
White cheeks
Green back
Yellow belly
Black bib

Listen to it’s call.

This little bird flit by to say hello as I was walking around Stoke Newington’s Woodberry Wetlands this morning.  I believe this is a male as it has a broad black stripe down its belly.

Learn more about the Great Tit


Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Hooded Crow

Corvus corni

Light gray body
Glossy black head, throat, wings, tail and thigh
Black bill, legs and eyes

Listen to its call.

On the pier at Kyleakin on the Isle of Skye, these birds are more abundant than gulls. I frequently watched them soaring in the wind while constantly scavengering for food during my time there this winter. One of their favourite pastimes was dropping molluscs on the concrete to crack them open.

Learn more about the Hooded Crow.

Saturday, October 29, 2016

Common Coot

Fulica atra

Appearance:
Medium-sized water bird
Black plumage
Prominent white frontal shield and beak
Red eyes
Lobed flaps of skin on toes
Juvenile:
   Paler than adult
   Whitish breast
   No facial shield

Like their cousin the Moorhen, Coots are a common sight on the park lakes and canals around London.  They are an odd looking bird, especially their feet which I've always found just a little bit frightening.  And, going by the picture below, it appears my concerns were not unfounded!


Learn more about the Coot.

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Goldeneye

Bucephala clangula 


Appearance:
Medium-sized diving duck 
White flanks, breast and belly 
White patches on secondaries 
Yellow eyes 
Male: 
     Dark iridescent-green head
     Black back, wings and tail 
     Round white patch on face below eye 
     White scapulars with black striping 
     Black bill 
Female: 
     Chocolate brown head 
     Gray back, wings and tail 
     Yellow tip on black bill 

 


I don't know about you but I find these feet rather funny looking. The contrast between the orange feet and black webbing make the toes stand out in a way that I've never noticed before. Very odd!
 


Learn more about the Goldeneye