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If this isn't the right place for an ID question, apologies. If someone could move it, that's fine, or let me know and I'll re-post.
Only an ID shot -- have seen this bird the last few days along with House Finches at my feeders, near Santa Rosa, CA. But the white on the face and hints of yellow make me think it's something else, but can't find anything to match in my books. It's just about House Finch size.
I'm thinking just a female or juvenile common house sparrow
House Finch. Probably molting some feathers.
Jim
Hi Daine,
I moved to ID forum so you can get better feedback, I am not an ID expert but to me it also looks like a common house finch
It's a Purple or Cassin's Finch. I have very little experience with Cassin's but I'm leaning towards Purple Finch. House Finch doesn't have the distinct light stripe behind the eye or malar stripe. The breast looks to be heavily streaked which is wrong for Cassin's.
I agree, western Purple Finch. The overall look of the head is not House Finch-like (e.g., bill shape and length, tone) and a House Finch would be drabber. Sibley has Cassin's with a light eye-ring and much more pronounced streaks (as Matthew mentions). This bird has the pale crescent below the eye, which Sibley gives for a Purple Finch.
Thanks -- and I hope I can remember where to post for ID!
Several locals on a Yahoo Group said Purple Finch. I have quite a few House Finches at the feeder and this one is subtly (to me!) different, in the white markings on the side of the head.
