Is it a house sparrow variant, or something else? (1 Viewer)

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Royboy999

Member

• Dec 25, 2014

• #1

I'm new to birding, and recently put up a bird feeder on my back porch in Chicago. It has attracted grey squirrels and cats, as well as mainly house sparrows. A squirrel baffle seems to keep the squirrels off the feeder, and I've been vigilant about chasing cats away. I've seen a pair of blue jays 3 times in the past several weeks, plus a cardinal twice. One bird identification has stumped me, however. It's about the same size, shape, and stripping as a house sparrow, but it has a dull, ruby red breast, and also some red on its head and back. It is outnumbered about 20 to one by the house sparrows. Does anyone know what it is? Thanks for reading.

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Dec 25, 2014

• #2

I'm thinking it's possibly a male House Finch. Does it look anything like this?

http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=512391

Hi there and a warm welcome to you from those of us on staff here at BirdForum :t:

 

R

Royboy999

Member

• Dec 25, 2014

• #3

Thanks, KC. In a bird book I have, I saw something I thought it might be which was a type of finch. In the picture you sent, the feathers are much too light in color and fluffed out. It looks very much like a house sparrow in coloring, except for the ruby red breast, head and back (underneath the wings)

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Dec 25, 2014

• #4

That could be its fall plumage which is usually quite dull this time of year. If you could get a photo of it, that would really help.

 

R

Royboy999

Member

• Dec 26, 2014

• #5

KCFoggin said:

That could be its fall plumage which is usually quite dull this time of year. If you could get a photo of it, that would really help.

Click to expand...

I googled house finch/fall plumage, KC, and one of the videos I found looks like the guys I have on my feeder. In the video, he even had the same behavior which was turning around periodically as if keeping a lookout. Thanks for your help in identifying him.

 

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Royboy999

Member

• Jan 5, 2015

• #6

KC, I managed to get 2 grainy pictures of what might be the House Finch you were guessing. What do you think?

 

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KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Jan 5, 2015

• #7

Hi Roy! Yes, a male and female House Finch

 

R

Royboy999

Member

• Jan 5, 2015

• #8

Thanks, KC. I posted these pictures, plus a third one over in Bird Identification Q & A, and that was the general consensus also.

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Jan 5, 2015

• #9

You're quite welcome