Identify A Bird Please

[Lesley Jay]

There were two birds in the garden eating windfall apples that we have never seen before. All my bird books are packed in boxes because we are moving and I have spent ages searching the net but have drawn a blank.

The birds were smaller than a pigeon with a fat, chunky body. One had black feathers on it's body and the other had a greyish black body. Both had a light brown hood / head with brown speckles on it similar to the speckles that a thrush has on it's chest. Can anyone identify these birds from this description please??

[Morpheus]

if they look thrush like they could well be fieldfares or redwings but they are generally winter visitors and its a bit too early, even for Cheshire

[Lesley Jay]

Thanks Morpheus, I checked the fieldfares and red wings but the birds in our garden are not those. The speckles are just on the birds head with a black body. I'm wondering if they are a species of game bird as they walk and run around the garden then hide under the hedge rather than flying off.

[Morpheus]

a neighbour doesnt keep guinea fowl do they?

[Lesley Jay]

No they are not guinea fowl Morpheus.