6 replies to this topic

[mcbliefb]

Please ID:  large (between a BlueJay and a Robin) red (overall except black mask and black throat) bird with light-colored cone-shaped beak that frequents bird feeder in wooded backyard in North Carolina.  Looks eversomuch like a huge Cardinal except "Big Red" does not have a crest.  Thank you in advance for your help.

[JohnYaYa]

 Possibly a Pine Grosbeak? They are around here in NY but I don't think they are common in N. Carolina. Any white on the bird? Does it perch or does it cling to a tree (like a woodpecker?) /forums/emoticons/emotion-1.gif

[mcbliefb]

No white.  Perches.  Long forked tail.

[goofy166]

Perhaps a Brown-capped Rosy-Finch? I can't find anything else that comes close in the database. David will be back on Monday and I am sure he will figure this out.

[David Lukas]

Hello, we're back early and happy to chime in on the conversation. In general it sounds like you've perfectly described a Cardinal, especially because nothing else is red, has a black face, and a light-colored bill. You say the bird is huge, but about the size of a jay or robin, so it's still within the range of a Cardinal. The lack of a crest is not of particular concern since this bird could be holding it down, or molting its crest feathers. It is a little more difficult to explain the long forked tail, however, so if you're convinced of this field mark it may steer us to another identification. But first of all, are you absolutely convinced that this bird is not a Cardinal? We would say that the light-colored bill on a red bird is a rock solid field mark for a Cardinal.

Let us know,

David Lukas and Simone Whitecloud

[jananfreriks]

i have also seen a large red bird like the one you descibe, and that is why I came to this web site.

I live in Madison, Wi and have noticed this bird for the last few weeks. It is about the same size and color as a cardinal (red not orange) but its body shape and stance is more robin-like and has no apparent crest, the head and neck are black not just the face with the body and wings all red. I often have cardinals here and thought it was one until I looked more closely.The female is lighter colored then a cardinal more waxwing like. i'll try to note more details next time and try for a picture.

all the pictures of grosebills, finches and tanangers I've seen don't quite fit. --  i'll be staying curious!

nan in madison

 

[mcbliefb]

I think I have a cardinal.  In fact, a female cardinal tried to attract his attention last evening as he sat on a branch.  She strutted back and forth on the deck railing within 12 feet of him, dipping her wing, and calling occassionally.  He ignored her. I just never saw a cardinal this big or one without a crest.