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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Eye ring ID: Hawfinch (1 Viewer)

DanC.Licks

AKA Daniel Bradley
Can eye rings be of any use in identifying individual birds? Here two pictures of the eyes of Henry, our resident Hawfinch that we have not seen fore several months
_DSC0329a.jpg _DSC1734-Edit-a cropa.jpg
and here of the Hawfinch that showed up yesterday
DSC_6268a.jpg DSC_6340.jpg

If eye rings are like fingerprints, I would say different birds, or do the rings change over time.
Also, Henry had a slightly damaged left wing. It hung down a little. This chap's wings are fine, and he has a splendid set of feathers.
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There appears to be variation within individual birds, in ''both'' eye-rings, therefore I would not place too much reliance on that as a feature. Also the moulting process will alter the cosmetic over time.

Clearly this does appear to be a different bird from your ''Winter bird''...wings appear to be intact...you must have a reasonable population nearby...am envious!

cheers
 
...as are many!
Thanks, Ken. Actually we have only seen two or three at the most. That is why it has been such a treat to have one as a regular visitor.
 
Now this is a treat! Henry just showed up with Henrietta!
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Never seen her before, though we did see a female in a park a few blocks away earlier in the spring. We figured Henry took of to do what birds do in the spring, so maybe it is him after all, back where he knows there is always a free lunch.;)o:D
 
Henry, our resident Hawfinch is back after being gone since spring,
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and yes, the eye ring is the same, (as is his damaged left wing and eating habits ;)).
This picture is not good, but it is enough to see the shape and distinctive features of the eye ring,
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compared to one from last year.
_DSC1734-Edit-a cropa.jpg

Fingerprinting for birds;)
 
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