What is this mystery bird?

[RandomBirdGuy]

Hello all! I have a question for you all. I saw this bird at a local bird rescue and the volunteer there said it was a pet that could no longer be kept so they surrendered it to the shelter, however, she was not sure what type of bird it was. Does anyone here know what type of bird this is? Thanks!

 

[Regina Larsen]

Hello all! I have a question for you all. I saw this bird at a local bird rescue and the volunteer there said it was a pet that could no longer be kept so they surrendered it to the shelter, however, she was not sure what type of bird it was. Does anyone here know what type of bird this is? Thanks!

It looks almost like a Jackson's Widowbird. That would be a rare one - i think they are currently endangered.

 

[tripletfeb]

Looks like a red collared widow bird to me. But they are native to Africa. Could also be a Jackson's widow bird like @Regina Larsen said. Pretty one either way

 

[Regina Larsen]

Looks like a red collared widow bird to me. But they are native to Africa. Could also be a Jackson's widow bird like @Regina Larsen said. Pretty one either way

Lovely bird!
I think we may be in the right neck of the woods with widowbirds. I had to look up the red-collared; it may indeed be a male without the red feathering.

 

[RandomBirdGuy]

Thank you all so much for the quick responses! Follow up question, are widowbirds a domestic type of bird? I've never heard of one before so am curious if they are common pet birds? I thought that this bird was just a fancy type of finch haha

 

[Regina Larsen]

Thank you all so much for the quick responses! Follow up question, are widowbirds a domestic type of bird? I've never heard of one before so am curious if they are common pet birds? I thought that this bird was just a fancy type of finch haha

Widowbirds are wild African birds. Would be classed here in US as an exotic pet. Many of them are endangered or of concern. What were the circumstances of its surrender?

 

[tripletfeb]

Thank you all so much for the quick responses! Follow up question, are widowbirds a domestic type of bird? I've never heard of one before so am curious if they are common pet birds? I thought that this bird was just a fancy type of finch haha

Widowbirds are wild African birds. Would be classes here in US as an exotic pet. Many of them are endangered or of concern

I would also be concerned of owning one, if it is what we think and is endangered, it might be illegal to own it. Just a thought, I could be wrong(it's happened once before)

 

[Regina Larsen]

I would also be concerned of owning one, if it is what we think and is endangered, it might be illegal to own it. Just a thought, I could be wrong(it's happened once before)

Exactly! Why i was wondering what the circumstances of the surrender were. (And if that is what bird it is - i too have been wrong before!)

 

[RandomBirdGuy]

The only thing I find odd is this bird doesn't have any red on it and all the pictures ive seen there is red on them. The previous owner got it from a bird expo. The place it is currently in houses exotic birds that have been either owner surrendered or injured wild birds. They house birds ranging from raptors to these small ones. I'm assuming an actually employee would know more what the bird is, I just so happen to talk to a volunteer. Next time I go I'll try to get an actually confirmation though!

 

[Regina Larsen]

The only thing I find odd is this bird doesn't have any red on it and all the pictures ive seen there is red on them. The previous owner got it from a bird expo. The place it is currently in houses exotic birds that have been either owner surrendered or injured wild birds. They house birds ranging from raptors to these small ones. I'm assuming an actually employee would know more what the bird is, I just so happen to talk to a volunteer. Next time I go I'll try to get an actually confirmation though!

good luck to the bird! If you find out what he is let us know!