el_supremo
Well-known member
Amongst the redpolls in and around our yard, which last week numbered
as many as 300, I have occasionally seen one or two which I had
assumed were females. On closer inspection they have a small red
patch on each cheek below the eyes. One of them landed on the feeder
this morning and I got some shots of it. I've uploaded two photos to my website.
The first is a thumbnail of the whole bird.
http://members.shaw.ca/el_supremo/CORE_q1_0403_4898.JPG
The second is a closeup of the head and breast which shows the red patch below the eye. The closeup also shows that there are a few red flecks on the breast as well.
http://members.shaw.ca/el_supremo/CORE_q2_0403_4898.JPG
Is this a female or, perhaps, a young male?
BTW. The red colour isn't a reflection off the bird feeder because
I've seen it when the bird is facing away from the feeder and also
when it's in a tree.
as many as 300, I have occasionally seen one or two which I had
assumed were females. On closer inspection they have a small red
patch on each cheek below the eyes. One of them landed on the feeder
this morning and I got some shots of it. I've uploaded two photos to my website.
The first is a thumbnail of the whole bird.
http://members.shaw.ca/el_supremo/CORE_q1_0403_4898.JPG
The second is a closeup of the head and breast which shows the red patch below the eye. The closeup also shows that there are a few red flecks on the breast as well.
http://members.shaw.ca/el_supremo/CORE_q2_0403_4898.JPG
Is this a female or, perhaps, a young male?
BTW. The red colour isn't a reflection off the bird feeder because
I've seen it when the bird is facing away from the feeder and also
when it's in a tree.