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Science/nature/environment

What's this bird?

(16 Posts)
Mizuna Mon 13-Jan-25 09:22:19

Does anyone know what this bird is? The closest I can find online is a dunnock but it's not like the dunnocks I get in my garden. It's the size of a robin, with a very sharp beak. It was sitting on a harbour wall for ages yesterday, not at all fazed by people passing close by.

nanna8 Mon 13-Jan-25 09:23:58

A wren of some sort ?

Cabowich Mon 13-Jan-25 09:27:27

Just did a reverse Google image search, and it came up with Rock Pipit (which its surroundings suggest it could be). However, I'm not sure, the markings on the bird's back don't seem the same.

Mizuna Mon 13-Jan-25 09:28:09

It was much bigger than the wrens I'm used to but thanks, that's a possibility.

Cabowich Mon 13-Jan-25 09:30:11

No, it's not a wren. Wrens' tails stick up.

nanna8 Mon 13-Jan-25 09:31:27

A bit like this ?

Mizuna Mon 13-Jan-25 09:34:27

Cabowich

Just did a reverse Google image search, and it came up with Rock Pipit (which its surroundings suggest it could be). However, I'm not sure, the markings on the bird's back don't seem the same.

Yep, I think you're right! It had a distinct pale patch under its beak which matches one of the Rock Pipit images on Google. It makes sense, as it was near the coast. I saw one years ago hopping across a beach and had forgotten about it. Thank you!

Elegran Mon 13-Jan-25 09:34:32

Is it a wren? That is the size of a robin, in fact in medieval times before it was known that male and female robins look the same (and so do male and female wrens) it was thought that the wren was the robin's mate. The wren's tail sticks up cheekily. Or it could be a house sparrow.
www.google.com/search?q=little+brown+bird+with+sharp+beak

PiscesLady Mon 13-Jan-25 09:35:20

My Merlin Bird ID app says Rock Pipit. It looks similar.

merlotgran Mon 13-Jan-25 09:38:44

I was going to say Meadow Pipit but wrong habitat so Rock Pipit seems more likely.

FlitterMouse Mon 13-Jan-25 09:41:57

Hard to say without a front view but it could be a spotted flycatcher. Rock pipits are larger than robins.

Greyduster Mon 13-Jan-25 09:52:13

By the white mark round the top of its eye I would say it’s a rock pippet. They are very common in coastal areas.

Greyduster Mon 13-Jan-25 09:58:00

The breast, being streaked, is a give away.

Patsy70 Mon 13-Jan-25 10:03:23

Greyduster

By the white mark round the top of its eye I would say it’s a rock pippet. They are very common in coastal areas.

Yes, a Rock Pipit.

Mizuna Mon 13-Jan-25 10:25:52

Definitely not a wren. It was bigger than the wrens in my garden in Cornwall and didn't have the tipped-up tail wrens have.

What struck me is that it had the ease of coastal birds, which where I live are very used to people.

Chickabiddy Sat 29-Mar-25 17:42:51

I thought rock pipit too because of the coastal haunt.