I really need to invest in a good bird identification book, as I feel kinda bad posting here when I'm sure (with the right guide) I could figure it out for myself. So, having said that, might I ask:
1. What kind of bird do we have here?
2. What guide book would you recommend (I live here in VA, eastern United States).
Thanks!
Brian
This is indeed a finch Brian. I assume you made the image at your location, but by way of a reminder to all, it's most useful if you give location and date with all ID questions. This is a Purple Finch female. The bird is chunky, bull-headed, has distinct dark, short streaks on the flanks, a noticeable cream line above the eye (superciliary), and just the overall look of a Purple Finch. Where there's females there's usually males around. Have you seen a similar shaped bird with a raspberry jam colour?
OH, and I agree wholeheartedly with James. The Sibley guide is the one to get. Note he has several out now. I have "The Sibley Guide to Birds" published by the National Audubon Society.
Last edited by John Chardine; 10-28-2010 at 03:08 PM.
Agreed that it's a Purple Finch. Due to poor food crops for them in Canada, this is predicted to be an invasion year. I live in great habitat for these and get them virtually every winter, but they usually don't arrive until late November at the earliest. My high count this fall is already up around a dozen.
Keep the sunflower out and you should be able to hold them. As John mentioned, you have a good chance at getting males to show up also. Something interesting to watch out for are young males. They will be patterned like the females but look at the pale feather edges, particularly on the back and crown. Instead of being buffy, some of the edges will show that raspberry coloration just on the edges. This usually become more obvious as winter progresses towards spring.
Now, I swear I didn't cheat (and go and look at your responses online!!) - at my local Barnes and Noble I picked up Sibley's Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America. Since I suspected it was a finch (looking at the beak), I went right to that page and VOILA! It was pretty plain, even to my untrained eye, that what I had here was a female Purple Finch. And it was nice to then come home, boot up the Mac, and confirm my findings with you learned folk!
And thanks for the reminder John - indeed, this was taken in my backyard here in Sterling, VA (Northern VA) yesterday, 10-27.
Thanks again for the confirmation, and thanks for the Field Guide recommendation - I'm gonna be knee deep in Sibley till the wee hours tonight!
:-)
Brian
Last edited by Brian Kent; 10-28-2010 at 08:42 PM.
Is this some kind of Finch? Argh!
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