3 replies to this topic

[BuckeyeBruce]

I assumed this was a house finch when he first appeared, but pretty quickly noticed the coloring was orange vs. the typical red. He was also a bit larger than a house finch. I know I haven't seen him around here before, but can't find him in a guide. I did manage to get a few pics; so glad to have found this forum - any help would be greatly appreciated!

[sdearth]

There is a orange variant of the house fench

maybe !!

[psweet]

This is a House Finch. Reds, yellows, and oranges in birds come from carotenoid pigments, and the birds have to acquire them through their diet, then modify them to use. Which means that if their diet changes or they're metabolically out of sorts during molt, the colors can come in funny. House Finches seem to be especially prone to this, so you'll sometimes see orange or even yellow instead of red.

[BuckeyeBruce]

Thanks!