20 replies to this topic

[D-lilly]

this was taken in Green Valley, Southern, AZ 12-24-2011  I think it looks like a female finch but I'm not sure...thank you, Doris

Attached Files

•  IMG_6653 (640x476).jpg   329.75K   15 downloads

[annashummingbird3]

     I would say House Sparrow based on the coloring of its' underparts.

[Pat B.]

I don't know what this (not good at Sparrows), but I doubt it's a House Sparrow; they don't have streaked breasts. A male HS has black facial markings in both breeding & NB plumages (and a black bib in breeding) and the female has a lightish "eyebrow."

[cabirds]

I would differ with the House Sparrow and call her a little House Finch [Female]

- Slightly notched tail

- Blurry greyish breast markings

- Indistinct head markings

- Short wings making the tail look long

- Flattened Head

- Greyish-brown to brown and streaked overall

- Thick greyish bill

- Blurry Greyish Streaking on belly and flanks separating them from Cassin's and Purple Finches.

[Online Source: Cornell's "All About Birds" identification key]

From personal experience:  the females can have a orangeish or yellowish tint on the back and sometimes nape and face [notice mine in the first picture as yellow "blusher" on her "cheeks"].

Here's one of my little girls:

A mated pair (in the rain, and also qualifying as "puffy birds" in this picture):

 

 

[annashummingbird3]

That tail isn't that long and there's a white spot near the eye, so I will stick with sparrow.

[cabirds]

I spent four hours hunting her today:

Female House Sparrow:

 

And her BabyDaddy ;-) :

Notice that eye-line and the head shape and bill color?

[JimBob]

I know for a fact that this is NOT a House Sparrow. I think that this is a female House Finch. Those pics above look nothing like the original bird. 

[cabirds]

That was kinda the point.  Where the first pics I posted do.  No, it's not a House Sparrow.  Agreed.  142.7%.  ;)

[natureboy]

the bill reminds me of a bunting.  i dont have experience with buntings exclusive to your area, but see if lazuli bunting fits.

[JimBob]

cabirds:

That was kinda the point.  Where the first pics I posted do.  No, it's not a House Sparrow.  Agreed.  142.7%.  ;)

Wow 142.7% sure. I don't think that is enough!!! I knew that someone was going to post a picture of House sparrows. But still only 142.7% sure. Is anybody 142.8% sure?  

[cabirds]

Only 142.7% because it could be either a Farrow or a Spinch.  But they're out of range.  As everyone knows, Farrows come from Egypt, and Spinches from the North Pole - and migrate only around Christmas, congregating in Whoville.

 

[natureboy]

why not a bunting?  look at the blue trace on the back.  and the segregation of the feather boders on the primaries and secondaries is not out of the question for a young/female bunting.  and lazuli (from what i see in my guide) seem to express more of this in their wing patterns.  its not a HS or a rare hybrid!!!

[grammarcat]

natureboy:

why not a bunting?  look at the blue trace on the back.  and the segregation of the feather boders on the primaries and secondaries is not out of the question for a young/female bunting.  and lazuli (from what i see in my guide) seem to express more of this in their wing patterns.

Agree with bunting. The proportions aren't right for a house finch. The head is too round, the body is to compact. The facial pattern isn't right either.

[Liam]

I agree with female House Finch. I haven't seen any Buntings other than Painted and Indigo, but I'm sure this bill is too conical for any bunting. Also note the streaking on the flanks. No American buntings show that.

D-lilly, it would be great if you would post ID threads in the ID section. :)

[thekiwi]

as the image is cluttered with the cactus it is hard to see the bill shape but i am goping to suggest on body shape and size that you consider pinesiskin or yellow rumped warbler

[cabirds]

The bill shape is pretty clearly defined.  And not Butterbutt for _certain_.

See if this helps?  [Main photo belongs to the OP, just extracted.  Knock-outs are mine]

 

[yep]

Definitely looks like a female House Finch to me.  Plain brown bird with conical beak, no supercilium, distinct streaking on the breast.

[natureboy]

alright im in the finch camp, the flanks passed me by on first inspection and that would not be present on a bunting as stated.

[JimBob]

I would like to say that it is not a siskin either. They have much more pointed beaks. 

[Bigfoot]

This is a bird Identification thread, OK fine, would you like me to move it to the ID Forum?

Bigfoot