14 replies to this topic

[momof4]

The last couple years I have started to take an interest in my feathered friends in my backyard. I wish I could say I was really good at identifying but, Im really NOT! I have a bird book and I try to take pictures and compare but sometimes they look like they could be a couple different kinds of birds. Anyway, I am sure this is a really common bird but can someone tell me what it is?

house finch? common redpoll? something else? (Im thinking common redpoll but want to be sure)  bird.jpg   76.96K   105 downloads

[Triplefeather]

Looks like a Common Redpoll to me. They are pretty common in your area in the winter. Nice!

[BarnSwallow]

That's an odd one. Sure looks like a redpoll, but doesn't have the black mask. Maybe someone else will be along with an opinion.

[Triplefeather]

I'm pretty sure you can see the black mask, it's just a little lighter.

[FarAwayEyes]

Welcome to Whatbird !

[JimBob]

Welcome to Whatbird! And I agree with Common Redpoll.

[Liam]

The visibility of the mask varies with angle and lighting, I'd think. But I agree with Common Redpoll here.

[BarnSwallow]

Yeah, I couldn't see where it could be anything else! Just a little odd looking. Of course, I've only seen redpolls IRL once, when they came to my feeder one really bad winter.

[Liam]

...I've only seen redpolls IRL once, when they came to my feeder one really bad winter.

I would call that a really good Winter.

[momof4]

Thank you so much, it's good to have the confirmation.

Also, thanks for the welcome!

[BarnSwallow]

I would call that a really good Winter.

Haha! True! I also had fox sparrows and white-crowned, both which I'd never seen before.

[ColoTomo]

Welcome to

Thank you so much, it's good to have the confirmation.

Also, thanks for the welcome!

Welcome to Whatbird momofFour !

That's a nice bird there, I still need that one. As one newbie to another, I'll share a few things that I learned from others who 'took me under their wing' (sorry for the pun). Some birds are easy to i.d., i.e. adult American White Pelican - nothing looks like that... but for the more similar birds, you are looking for "field marks", points of identification that are unique to your bird. Sibley's is a really good guide because it points out field marks in an easy to see way.

As for your bird, one thing I notice right away is the bill. The color of a bill can be a good field mark, and you can rule out House Finch right away just with a quick glance at the yellow bill color. House Finches have tan/dark/black bills. From there, you've got a much easier call for Common Redpoll.

Have fun here, there's a great crew of regulars. Anytime you post a new bird, feel free to say, "What field marks made you call that i.d." and people will be happy to help you

[momof4]

haha , cute pun!

Thank you for the tips, much appreciated. I have a lot to learn and it's nice when people take the time to answer questions and volunteer info.

[sandylee]

Welcome! I get absolutely TONS of Redpolls in the winter..... have noticed that each one looks different, with regard to coloring. Females and Males are certainly different (females don't have the red breast).... but there also seems to be a lot of variation among the males too.

[renitiadb]

What a gorgeous bird! Wish we had those here! =)

Welcome to birding! I am a newbie too! I volunteer with bird banding a couple times a month and have found that most birders are very happy to share their knowledge. The people on here are super helpful! =)