suggestions for id please

["Philip Veerman" <>]

How about European Goldfinch. Mainly because of the yellow wing bar and nothing else inconsistent with that, on your description.

 

Philip

 

-----Original Message-----
From: jude hopwood [
Sent: Wednesday, 2 October 2013 9:27 AM
To: COG
Subject: [canberrabirds] suggestions for id please

Dear Wise Ones,

A small - YFHE size or even slightly smaller - darkish bird with pointed wings and extraordinarily swift flight - shortish squared-off tail.   Have caught sight of what is probably the same bird on driveway - caught glimpse of head being dark. Flew right past my nose yesterday in the horse paddock amongst lots of shrubbery yesterday but too fast for any better ID than this. One detail that was very clear was yellow stripes from top to bottom of centre of each wing highlighting the darkness of the bird. I've searched my references and have no idea at all.  I thought initially a honeyeater because of its shape but can find nothing even close.

Any ideas?  

Jude