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Greenfinch
http://lbcarchive.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=7178
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Author:  John T Goy [ Wed Feb 13, 2008 7:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Greenfinch

This week noticed a big male Greenfinch in garden, it's about three times the normal size, it has a job moving on the ground, but can fly okay. Watched it for a while this afternoon, while it was sat in magnolia and on ground eating. It tends not to mix with the other Greenfinches [maybe it's been sent to Coventry].

I have read in the BTO Bird Table Magazines that these birds have been suffering from an illness. Did find two dead Greenfinch in 2006 in garden but not near the feeders.

I regularly clean all the feeders.

Did try to get a photo of it but not acheived it yet.

Regards

John

Author:  trevormlee [ Wed Feb 13, 2008 8:50 pm ]
Post subject: 

Three times the normal size ?!!

That will make it a Green Woodpecker John. !

:wink: :D

Trev

Author:  Andy Sims [ Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:09 pm ]
Post subject: 

Or a Parrot!!

Author:  John T Goy [ Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:33 pm ]
Post subject: 

Let's just say it's fat, maybe I've been feeding it too much. :lol:

Andy, ,

when you said a parrot, made me wonder if it is a ring-necked Parakeet and not a Greenfinch. :lol:

It's a good job Uniomystic can't answer this post or he would have field day. :lol:

Author:  Terence Whalin [ Thu Feb 14, 2008 12:51 am ]
Post subject:  green what ?

Hey john what is all this, have you found a KAKAPO ?, How big, you surely are not a fisherman John ?.
Are you a fisherman ?. The other day you were flashing your ginger nuts around now your getting your maggot wet.
I don't know !! whatever next ?!!. :lol: :lol: :shock: :shock:

terry whalin :lol: :wink:

Author:  John T Goy [ Thu Feb 14, 2008 9:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: green what ?

Terence Whalin wrote:
Hey john what is all this, have you found a KAKAPO ?, How big, you surely are not a fisherman John ?.
Are you a fisherman ?. The other day you were flashing your ginger nuts around now your getting your maggot wet.
I don't know !! whatever next ?!!. :lol: :lol: :shock: :shock:

terry whalin :lol: :wink:


Hi Terry,

The only fishing I do is on here, baiting those willing to bite the hook :lol:

Max

Author:  Katherine Birkett [ Thu Feb 14, 2008 11:22 pm ]
Post subject: 

I've also seen a Greenfinch in my garden in the same way as the one John/Max described. It was very lethargic and wondered at one point if it was trichomoniasis....... about a week after last seeing it, I unfortunately had to deal with a dead Greenfinch at the foot of the feeder. I don't know if it was the same one. Held it in my hand for a while and learned a bit about which feathers were which (coverts, primaries etc...), along with basic bird anatomy stuff and found out how big it was in relation to my hand.

Washed my hands thoroughly afterwards with warm water and my hospital radio hand sanitiser to be on the safe side. A gruesome way to find stuff out...

Author:  Terence Whalin [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 3:09 pm ]
Post subject:  fisherman

ooooooh !!! ouch !! just be careful where you put that gaff.

Terry Whalin :lol: :shock: :wink:

Author:  Paul French [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 4:42 pm ]
Post subject: 

On a half serious note, are you sure its not an escaped Grosbeak of some kind?

Author:  John Clarkson [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 5:12 pm ]
Post subject: 

Or a Pine? Or Evening? I'll be happy to come round and confirm either of these.

John

Author:  John T Goy [ Sat Feb 16, 2008 12:35 am ]
Post subject: 

John Clarkson wrote:
Or a Pine? Or Evening? I'll be happy to come round and confirm either of these.

John


John and Paul,

Just checked my Collins and although I only have ten years experience [not including rarities] I'm hundred per cent certain it's neither a Pine, Evening or Rose-breasted Grosbeak, wish it was I've never seen one before, in the wild or captivity.

The bird which I believe to be a male Greenfinch was here again today, sat in it's usual spot in the magnolia. To give a better description I would say it's twice the width [ as if it's puffed it's feathers up to keep out the cold ] of a normal Greenfinch. But the same length. If it comes over weekend I'll try and get a shot of it.

Regards

John

Author:  Stuart Britton [ Mon Feb 18, 2008 5:18 pm ]
Post subject: 

One theory is that it could be a sign that the Greenfinch is not in top condition. Ill and very cold birds fluff their feathers out which gives them an abnormally fat appearance. From ringing experience, these birds when weighed are well below thw weight they should be.

Author:  John T Goy [ Mon Feb 18, 2008 10:03 pm ]
Post subject: 

Stuart,

It had crossed my mind it's ill, not seen it since Friday, so maybe...

Author:  John Hinkley [ Mon Feb 18, 2008 11:47 pm ]
Post subject: 

Does sound like a ill bird. I believe Greenfinch and Chaffinch are the species most likely to get Trichomoniasis.

There is a bit of info here about it. I always clean the feeder that the Greenfinch use in our garden at least once a week with a anti-bacterial stray :)

http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds/health/sickbirds/greenfinches.asp

Author:  Andy Sims [ Tue Feb 19, 2008 8:51 am ]
Post subject: 

John,

Is the anti-bacterial stray that you use cat or dog?

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