Our Pair

A huge thanks to Jeff Kear and the Watcher Support Group for providing the following guide to identifying the UVO birds

UNRINGED MALE

Note the shape on the back of the head. Also the colouring on the nape of the neck and the elliptical top edge

Crown of the head carries strong Y shape. Chest colouring is fairly light however this is unreliable as he frequently gets dirty while nest cupping.

Side profile showing eyeline marking. Also shows distinct shape to head, and neck colouring.

Underwing markings are non-existent compared to the female.

Head markings from above

UNRINGED FEMALE

Front profile.

Distinct head markings reminiscent of a tree. Pronounced necklace and large eyebrows.

She is much broader in the head than the male

Left profile.

Large eyebrows and eyeline shape

Right profile

Eyebrow and eyeline shape

Underwing markings. Distinct pattern, loosely egg-shaped.

Some projects use underwing markings to identify unringed birds. These will not change year on year.

Our unringed female in all her glory

SIDE BY SIDE COMPARISONS

There is currently a colour difference with the male being paler

Side by side the female is bigger and darker

Hopefully no explanation needed

male

female