what bird

[annieigma]

Saw a strange bird today, flying very fast, we were in a car doing 40 mph and it was ahead of us for some time. the strange thing about the bird was that it flew like a butterfly, a very strange fluttering motion, it never once went into a glide or took on the appearance of a normal bird flying.. it was pure white, but we never got close enough to see it properly. it appeared to be the same size as a pigeon, but may have been larger. we do have some egrets here occassionally, but I though they would fly like a heron. any ideas?
Thanks,
Annie.

[rowanwitch]

Where did you see it, and what was the environment...urban, woods, coastal for example... only thing I can think of off hand is a fancy pigeon that has escaped because they have been bred with distorted proportions some of them fly very 'clumsily'

[annieigma]

Hi,
It was on the fens, but you are right, it could have been a fancy pign of some type, there are plenty of pigeon fanciers around the Boston, area.
( Lincolnshire, not u.s.a)
Annie.

[rowanwitch]

not seen any reports of white cuckoos on the birdlines but an albino is not impossible

[B00]

This one's so beautiful, it makes me cry, im such a sap!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqVrNK4uiB4&feature=related

[B00]

oopsie!

[B00]

lol, as soon as i hit submit i thought "bugger"!!

Sorry annieigma!

[annieigma]

Don't worry Boo, A lovely song. I love the 50's type stuff, I often go onto youtube and listen to the 50's compilations, lots of superb coloured groups and some white ones copying the coloured ones, such as the Diamonds with " little darlin". etc. still don't know what this bird is yet, but I use the road each day so will keep a look out, although it was on a mission, really in a rush, but I now think it may have been chased by some crows. I thought cuckoo's emigrated for the winter to Africa? and don't they resemble hawks?
all the best,
annie.

[Graham-W]

Possibly Sparrowhawk: http://www.rspb.org.u...parrowhawk/index.aspx
Look at images 3 and 4

or less likely Hen Harrier: http://www.rspb.org.u...henharrier/index.aspx

[annieigma]

This bird was definetly white, I thought it was a seagull at first, but its the flying bit thats strange, it was just like an injured bird, fluttering all over the place, but it was doing around 40 mph. I see all sorts of birds here, but never seen anything fly like this.

Annie.