My first time here and a mystery bird

[Janny]

Hello All... My first time here and I need your help. This picture was taken by a friend in Hertsfordshire, UK. We can't seem to identify it. It's sitting atop a bird feeder attached to her kitchen window. Same size as an American Sparrow, about 5-6 inches. Clearly banded when you view it in close up. Anyone have any ideas? :certifiable:

[MichaelF]

Someone's escaped hybrid Canary!

Note the black plastic cagebird breeder's ring on its right leg.

[Janny]

I've seen hybrid canaries here in the states. My next door neighbor had a large aviary built into his garage and bred them. Their breeding time was Valentine's Day. Nothing quite like the sound of a hundred horny canaries singing...

Thanks for the ID Michael F... :smile:

[mafting]

Looks like a Canary Mule (hybrid) with a Goldfinch. Such hybrids are commonly reared in captivity (there is a large population of Goldfinches in captivity), for show purposes. They are invariably sterile. The single plastic ring, as noted, says it's of captive origin.

[Alcedo atthis]

There is no marked yellow area on the primaries, as far as i can see- but that is fairly typical for Canary-Goldfinch mules (though I admit they are very variable). But I think this bird is well within the range of a pure domestic canary.