Something Exotic

A couple of shots today taken in the tropical forest at Chester Zoo. I won't pretend that I know what they are but they are beautiful.

Not a Red Breast but a Red Bill

Some of the most popular posts on my blog have been pictures of robins, they're such beautiful and iconic birds. 

Well this is a robin but not the type we're used to seeing in our gardens. It is a Pekin Robin, also known as a red billed leiothrix or Pekin Nightingale, Japanese Nightingale or Japanese Hill Robin. It is found in the Indian Subcontinent and not in Japan so don't be fooled by the name.

It has been introduced to the Hawaiian islands where it thrives. It has been introduced to parts of France as well. There was an unsuccessful attempt to introduce it to the UK so the only place in the UK.

It is a little gem, I wonder if it will be as popular to visitors to my blog as our native robin red breast. 

Shy Bird

A couple of weeks ago I went to Mere Sands Wood and I sat for what seemed like ages to catch a glimpse of the elusive bittern which has taken up residency on the reserve. I had a really lovely time and no doubt I will go back for a similarly good time but sadly on that occasion I didn't get to see the bittern.

Last weekend when I went to Chester Zoo I was lucky enough to see and photograph this beautiful Sunbittern from South America. It was lovely to be able to get so close to see the stunning plumage. I really love the intensity of the expression as it searches the pool for a tasty treat.

More Mystery Birds

So if you saw my blog yesterday you will have picked upon my frustration that I hadn't taken more notice of the different species I had photographed, some of you might even have been amused by that.  Well tonight I have chosen 6 pictures of four different species of bird and apart from one being a type of starling and another being a type of finch I have absolutely no idea what they are.

These were flying freely around the tropical house in the zoo and there were no notices identifying them so I don't feel so bad.

Anyway all of these are quite beautiful and my favourite picture is the fourth one as the little finch is watching me intently but ready to fly away 

If you have a favourite leave a comment below...