Help needed in ID'ing a bird - no photo.

Steve Pickford

Okay, help needed, thought I'd post here & pick your collective brains:huh
No picture - that's your job (hopefully).

Saw a bird in my garden (Oxford, UK) last week that I'd never seen before. Size of a Tit but with a shorter tail. Black cap (I think?) on the head & a white face topped off with a vivid red stripe running from left to right, under the eyes. Rest of the plumage was mainly light brown.

I posted here: http://forum.biggonline.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=207 to find an answer but to no avail.

Any ideas? Could it be a non-native bird that's been blown over here by heavy winds?

All help appreciated:thumb

Stan

Try this link, I have been through some of the sections, finches sparrows tits, but have not found anything close.

Good luck

Stan