Scarlet Robin

Creating and maintaining gardens in France, French plants, ponds, gardening tools and machinery, etc
Post Reply
Message
Author
edythuk
Posts: 130
Joined: Fri Aug 06, 2021 1:26 pm

Scarlet Robin

#1 Post by edythuk »

I know this isn't really gardening but I didn't know where else to ask.
Has anyone else seen a scarlet chested robin in France? It definitely was one hopping along our terrace one metre outside the window. I am in the Aude but reading up on it they are found in Australia. Beautiful clear markings but by the time I sorted out taking a photo it had flown up into a bush.

Spectrum
Posts: 844
Joined: Tue Jul 13, 2021 7:59 am
Location: 16

Scarlet Robin

#2 Post by Spectrum »

Sure it wasn't a "Bullfinch" if it was a Robin it could be an escapee.

edythuk
Posts: 130
Joined: Fri Aug 06, 2021 1:26 pm

Scarlet Robin

#3 Post by edythuk »

No not a bullfinch. Absolutely a scarlet robin. I think you must be right about it being an escapee. It was quite happy out there in the garden. I'll try and get a photo if it comes back

User avatar
Blaze
Posts: 5573
Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2021 9:06 pm
Location: Ille et Villaine (35)

Scarlet Robin

#4 Post by Blaze »

Could it have been a male Stonechat ? In the spring time, they have very strong nuptial colours, very attractive birds.
Here's a photo (and the website where I found it) where you can see their remarkable colouring :
https://rcannon992.com/2015/05/11/stone ... nderstood/
Capture d’écran 2022-04-02 à 14.29.36.png

The female isn't nearly as striking, but the male has quite a similarity to the Scarlet Robin. Stonechats are frequent in our area in Spring and early summer.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

edythuk
Posts: 130
Joined: Fri Aug 06, 2021 1:26 pm

Scarlet Robin

#5 Post by edythuk »

Image
This is it (not my photo). The white spot above the beak and the black bib were so clearly marked.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

Doug
Posts: 2053
Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2021 6:22 pm
Location: Nouvelle Aquitaine

Scarlet Robin

#6 Post by Doug »

We have a lot of stonechate here from time to time, never seen one woth a white spot though but you do get aberations of colours in birds.

User avatar
Blaze
Posts: 5573
Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2021 9:06 pm
Location: Ille et Villaine (35)

Scarlet Robin

#7 Post by Blaze »

It's beautiful and certainly the red is very striking ! Your bird doesn't have the white collar of the stonechat either. Is Is it ringed ? It definitely sounds like an escapee, possibly illegally imported.

Polarengineer
Posts: 848
Joined: Sun Jan 02, 2022 11:51 am
Location: 23 la Creuse

Scarlet Robin

#8 Post by Polarengineer »

The clue would be if it was flying upsidedown.

Spectrum
Posts: 844
Joined: Tue Jul 13, 2021 7:59 am
Location: 16

Scarlet Robin

#9 Post by Spectrum »

Polarengineer wrote: Sat Apr 02, 2022 7:21 pm The clue would be if it was flying upsidedown.
Yes the rare Australian inverted "Scarlet Robin"

Yonner
Posts: 108
Joined: Fri Jul 30, 2021 4:40 pm

Scarlet Robin

#10 Post by Yonner »

There was a similar line of enquiry last year, I think, when someone photo'd some small Australian doves in their garden. I can't find the posts, but I wonder if there's a link, and the owners are having some bad luck with the cages?

Post Reply