Monterey County, California (1 Viewer)

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ekopa

Well-known member

• Mar 15, 2019

• #1

Hello!

Please help me identify a few birds from Monterey County, California. All photographed in July

1-3 Different birds. All House Finches?
4 ?
5 ? Have a few very similar photos of this hawk hidden by branches. They didn't add much information

Thank you!

 

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howiewu

Well-known member

• Mar 15, 2019

• #2

Agree with House Finch for 1-3; 4 is one of the bunting species, maybe Lazuli Bunting? I think 5 is a Red-shouldered.

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Mar 15, 2019

• #3

I'm more inclined to think Purple Finch for # 2

 

howiewu

Well-known member

• Mar 15, 2019

• #4

KC Foggin said:

I'm more inclined to think Purple Finch for # 2

Click to expand...

Actually 3 is a female Purple Finch too. :t:

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Mar 15, 2019

• #5

howiewu said:

Actually 3 is a female Purple Finch too. :t:

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I thought it might be but having never seen a female Purple Finch at this early stage of growth I couldn't decide.

 

nartreb

Speak softly and carry a long lens

• Mar 15, 2019

• #6

howiewu said:

... I think 5 is a Red-shouldered.

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I'm certain it is.

 

jmorlan

Hmmm. That's funny

Opus Editor

• Mar 15, 2019

• #7

I think 1 & 3 are House Finches (lack strong face pattern and have extensively streaked undertail coverts). 2 is a Purple Finch. 4 is a California Towhee. 5 is Red-shouldered Hawk.

 

Jeff Hopkins

Just another...observer

• Mar 15, 2019

• #8

jmorlan said:

I think 1 & 3 are House Finches (lack strong face pattern and have extensively streaked undertail coverts). 2 is a Purple Finch. 4 is a California Towhee. 5 is Red-shouldered Hawk.

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I agree with Joe.

 

The Bird Nuts

Birding Duo

• Mar 15, 2019

• #9

I'd say 1 and 3 are Purple Finches because of the hint of a pale eyebrow, short and thinner streaks on the underside, raised crest, and less-rounded beak.

 

howiewu

Well-known member

• Mar 16, 2019

• #10

The Bird Nuts said:

I'd say 1 and 3 are Purple Finches because of the hint of a pale eyebrow, short and thinner streaks on the underside, raised crest, and less-rounded beak.

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In 3 I definitely see the pale eyebrow and am fairly sure it’s a Purple, less clear in 1.

 

Microtus

Maryland USA (he/him)

• Mar 16, 2019

• #11

I agree with jmorlan and Jeff on House Finch for #1 and #3. Also, the curved culmen in #1 points to House Finch. Neither of the birds seems to have a week pale crescent below the eye which the 2nd edition Sibley illustrates for Purple Finch.

 

E

ekopa

Well-known member

• Mar 17, 2019

• #12

Thank you, everyone!
On #4 - to me it doesn't look either a Lazuli Bunting or a California Towhee

 

The Bird Nuts

Birding Duo

• Mar 17, 2019

• #13

I don't think I've seen a House Finch raise its crest like that. I am confident 1 and 3 are Purples.

 

Last edited: Mar 17, 2019

howiewu

Well-known member

• Mar 18, 2019

• #14

Strictly speaking of picture 3 of the original post, I am posting a picture of a female Purple Finch I took for comparison. I really think the facial pattern in the OP #3 is similar and would call it Purple Finch.

The angle in #1 makes it a little harder to see, but I am leaning toward Purple as well.

 

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jmorlan

Hmmm. That's funny

Opus Editor

• Mar 18, 2019

• #15

Nice photo of Purple Finch showing the unstreaked undertail coverts. Juv. House Finches have a narrow pale supercilium. Tail of #4 is quite long. Proportions and lack of dorsal streaking eliminate any typical finches and I think are a good fit for California Towhee which I see every day in my yard.

 

The Bird Nuts

Birding Duo

• Mar 18, 2019

• #16

And here are some nice photos of Purple Finches in California with streaked undertail coverts.
https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/145745931
https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/144467791
https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/27870211
https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/30044281

 

Last edited: Mar 18, 2019

E

ekopa

Well-known member

• Mar 18, 2019

• #17

Not sure if it will help - the only other photos of #1 and #3 that I have

 

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jmorlan

Hmmm. That's funny

Opus Editor

• Mar 18, 2019

• #18

About half of the female California Purple Finches (Haemorhous purpureus californicus) will show some (usually limited) undertail streaking regardless of age whereas all House Finches show extensive undertail streaking. The narrow supercilium shown by birds #1 & #3 are rather faint and marked by internal brown streaking typical of juvenile House Finch. These juvenile markings are called "stipes." On Purple Finch the supercilium is usually broader and lacks obvious internal streaking.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/House_Finch/id
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/House_Finch/media-browser/63736721

Another difference is the bold white malar with contrasting lateral throat stripes that Purple Finch show and which are obsolete on House Finch.

https://www.sibleyguides.com/wp-content/uploads/369_Sib-Birds.jpg

 

Last edited: Mar 19, 2019