Tilton, NH (1 Viewer)

OlaB · Aug 11, 2010

Hi! I need help with this one. I was thinking Purple Finch at first, but the beak seems to large? Only litterature I have for USA at the moment is the National Geographic field guide which has proven not very useful when it comes to illustrations in many cases.

Thanks!

KC Foggin · Aug 11, 2010

I'm going to say a juvenile Red-Breasted Grosbeak.

The Falcon · Aug 11, 2010

It is a female Purple Finch.

OpposableChums · Aug 11, 2010

Not a Purple, that beak is huge. It's a juvenile for sure, and I think Red-breasted Grosbeak is a good guess.

The Falcon · Aug 11, 2010

OpposableChums said:
Not a Purple, that beak is huge. It's a juvenile for sure, and I think Red-breasted Grosbeak is a good guess.

The beak looks fine to me. The distinct moustachial stripe, dark bill, and the white lacking in the wings - all points toward Purple Finch not Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Not to even mention the shape/structure is wrong for a Grosbeak (IMHO).

Best, Josh

RJP · Aug 11, 2010

I photoshopped all these pics, trying my best to make a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak out of this bird. I couldn't. The only thing that looks close to right is the bill. Everything else - the head pattern (or lack of it), the very muted wingbars, the striping underneath, the very lightly marked undertail coverts, and the strongly notched tail are saying Finch.

I'm not sure how to explain the bill - perhaps the bird is molting some if it's head and face feathers, which expose just a bit more of the base of the bill, making it look bigger.

Peter C. · Aug 11, 2010

Can't say definitely that it's a Purple Finch (although that seems like the most likely solution) but it's certainly not a Rose-breasted Grosbeak! Aside from the points that The Falcon made, the streaking below is far too heavy - a female RBGR has thin streaking underneath, and in juveniles, it's even sparser.

Like this bird: http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xNq1YLSSdos/ShTBSlQh28I/AAAAAAAAI7E/BbR5UrbTAW8/s800/GROSBEAK.JPG

I think the bill's apparent size is exaggerated because the feathers on this individual's head are not fully grown in.

Edit: Cross-posting with RJP.

OlaB · Aug 11, 2010

RJP said:
I photoshopped all these pics, trying my best to make a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak out of this bird. I couldn't. The only thing that looks close to right is the bill. Everything else - the head pattern (or lack of it), the very muted wingbars, the striping underneath, the very lightly marked undertail coverts, and the strongly notched tail are saying Finch.

I'm not sure how to explain the bill - perhaps the bird is molting some if it's head and face feathers, which expose just a bit more of the base of the bill, making it look bigger.

This is exactly how I reasoned. Everything looks fine for Purple Finch except the bill which does look very large for a Finch. Shouldn't this tail alone rule out a Grosbeak or am I wrong there?

Peter C. · Aug 11, 2010

OlaB said:
This is exactly how I reasoned. Everything looks fine for Purple Finch except the bill which does look very large for a Finch. Shouldn't this tail alone rule out a Grosbeak or am I wrong there?

It do think that the tail looks too forked (very "finch-like") for a grosbeak. Wouldn't go on that feature alone though, unless I were sure that the bird is not undergoing a moult ...

Tilton, NH (1 Viewer)

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