Is it a Robin?
I have a small bird visiting the feeder with the sunflower hearts. It is just like the robin (who also likes the sunflower hearts). It is just like the robin the way it twitches and bobs and is the same shade of brown and size as a robin but has no sign of any red feathers. Is it a robin? What else could it be? I see it regularly. Many thanks, Mags
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My guess is that it's a dunnock aka hedge sparrow - have a look at the video on here http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/d/dunnock/index.aspx
Thanks very much Dovefromabove. That's what it is. I thought Dunnocks are ground feeders only so I am wrong about that! Best wishes of the Season, Mags
Well they do tend to feed on the ground, but they are passerines (perching birds) and I've seen them venture onto feeders if they feel confident that they're safe and there's cover nearby.
Lovely little things aren't they?
Seasons Greetings to you too
Maybe it's a juvenile robin
Juvenile robins acquire a red breast at the first moult, which is roughly 10 weeks after fledging. - even in a late brood that wouldn't be after October.
I stand corrected, Dove. I'm a bird noticer rather than a birdwatcher
Oooh you make me sound a bit fierce - don't mean to be
Earlier in the year it might well have been a juvenile robin, if it had a speckly breast and dark legs
Just another thought, do you have black redstarts in your area Mags? It could be a female, they are brown and bob about.
Oooh I didn't mean to make you think you'd made me feel you were a bit fierce.