Which bird did I see?
Discussion
The other morning I was walking by the River Trent and a flight of swans flew across my path before turning and following the Trent. There must have been fifty of them and it was quite impressive. However, there was one bird that did not fit in. It was about 3/4 the size of a swan with a shorter neck. It was grey with the last 1/4 of each wing black and it had a redish beak which was not flat like a swan's but more pointed and round looking.
Any ideas what it might have been?
condor said:
Canadian goose?
Don't think so. The beak was narrower and the bird looked more "purposeful". There was something eagle-like about it and the grey reminded me of a fighter aircraft grey. The grey also appeared to be more solid than the shades of grey on a goose.Edited by Manks on Sunday 12th February 19:24
Simpo Two said:
Bigger than a seagull and it had a red beak. Though the beak was the shape of a gull's.Edited by Manks on Sunday 12th February 22:04
Manks said:
tenex said:
A white stork?
Don't know much about them. Grey could be juvenile/winter moult.
I'm sure there is a lot of stuff being pushed over from the continent at the moment,due to the weather.
I've never seen a white stork, but in the 'wild' swans always appear very white.
So duller white as opposed to grey?
Just guessing.
tenex said:
My first thoughts were heron but the red beak was wrong.(Breeding adults can have a tinge but not that you would notice on 'flypast'. Anyway, you seem familiar with them.
I'm sure there is a lot of stuff being pushed over from the continent at the moment,due to the weather.
I've never seen a white stork, but in the 'wild' swans always appear very white.
So duller white as opposed to grey?
Just guessing.
This may sound like an odd description but alongside the swans it looked like a military aircraft. 3/4 the size, sleeker and with the red beak. I'm sure there is a lot of stuff being pushed over from the continent at the moment,due to the weather.
I've never seen a white stork, but in the 'wild' swans always appear very white.
So duller white as opposed to grey?
Just guessing.
Edited by Manks on Monday 13th February 09:57
What was it's singspan:body ratio. The heron for example has massive wings and a comparitivly slender body, where as the swan has a much bulkier body in comparison...?
What was it's flight like? Going back to the heron for another example, they have a very distinctive slow flap of their wings, where as a swans is faster and more "flappy".
What was it's flight like? Going back to the heron for another example, they have a very distinctive slow flap of their wings, where as a swans is faster and more "flappy".
balders118 said:
What was it's singspan:body ratio. The heron for example has massive wings and a comparitivly slender body, where as the swan has a much bulkier body in comparison...?
What was it's flight like? Going back to the heron for another example, they have a very distinctive slow flap of their wings, where as a swans is faster and more "flappy".
Cannot remember that level of detail. It just looked slightly smallaer and more aggressive than the swans.What was it's flight like? Going back to the heron for another example, they have a very distinctive slow flap of their wings, where as a swans is faster and more "flappy".
balders118 said:
Next guess, a Goosander:
They do have very red beaks
I was thinking along the same lines (female) and a real long shot a Shelduck.They do have very red beaks
There are very few birds of that size with an obvious red beak.
CENTRAL on here is the expert. He will probably be able to help.
Sounds to me it is something 'exotic' that I've never come across. An escapee or similar.
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