Two Birds at my backyard in North Central Texas??? (1 Viewer)

Scrogdog

Well-known member

• Feb 4, 2011

• #1

Due to having three or four inches of ice/snow covering the ground all over this part of the country this week, I currently have around 200 birds coming to my backyard feeders each day including several varieties I don't normally see. Today, I observed two birds that I don't think I've seen before. The first looks somewhat like an Orange-crowned Warbler, but lacks any yellow underneath that I would expect to see. The second bird is small, but it's coloring doesn't look like any of the Sparrows or Finches that I normally see.

 

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J

Jim M.

Member since 2007

Supporter

• Feb 4, 2011

• #2

Hi Scrogdog,

Pine Warbler for #1; House Finch for #2.

Best,
Jim

 

mrmanning

Southern Ontario Birder

• Feb 4, 2011

• #3

I'm with Jim.


Really cool to have Pine Warbler at the feeder!

 

KenM

Well-known member

• Feb 4, 2011

• #4

My first impression of image 2 was HF!...but on closer inspection the upper mandible appears downcurved and somewhat isolated from the lower!

Unsure of what appears to be going on in that area?..but one might be forgiven..If Crossbill was a contender?

cheers

 

KenM

Well-known member

• Feb 4, 2011

• #5

The more I look at this....I'm thinking Crossbill?

 

Scrogdog

Well-known member

• Feb 4, 2011

• #6

Thanks for the comments. I have at least five other Pine Warblers that have been coming to feeders this week, but they have much brighter yellow color than this one (see photos). I considered it might be a female and the others males. On the other bird, I knew it's steaking and bill looked right for a House Finch, but it just seemed to be much smaller with a browner hue to its color than the others I see here every day this time of year.

 

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apbarr

Well-known member

• Feb 4, 2011

• #7

KenM said:

The more I look at this....I'm thinking Crossbill?

Click to expand...

There's certainly something strange about the beak, lower mandible doesn't seem to be visible, any more pictures?

 

Scrogdog

Well-known member

• Feb 4, 2011

• #8

KenM said:

The more I look at this....I'm thinking Crossbill?

Click to expand...

Based on my guide, a Crossbill would be at least a 1,000 miles south of its Winter range. I think Jim is probably right on it being a female House Finch. It just looked smaller and browner than the others I see every day.

 

J

Jim M.

Member since 2007

Supporter

• Feb 4, 2011

• #9

Second bird is definitely a House Finch, though a bit dark. I think you are looking into the lower mandible (rather than profile) or it's partially obscured by a something in its mouth. Curved culmen is fine for House Finch. EBird has no reports of Crossbill for the entire state this year or last except a couple in the western panhandle.

Scrogdog said:

Thanks for the comments. I have at least five other Pine Warblers that have been coming to feeders this week, but they have much brighter yellow color than this one (see photos). I considered it might be a female and the others males. On the other bird, I knew it's steaking and bill looked right for a House Finch, but it just seemed to be much smaller with a browner hue to its color than the others I see here every day this time of year.

Click to expand...

Pine Warblers are quite variable in the amount of yellow. Depends on age/sex, and there is also some individual variation.

Best,
Jim

 

james holdsworth

Consulting Biologist

• Feb 4, 2011

• #10

The Pine looks to be a 1st basic female, thought by some to be the drabest bird in north america......certainly the word colourless applies...