Virginia finch -- House or Purple or ...? (1 Viewer)

howiewu

Well-known member

• Feb 20, 2020

• #1

Hi,

This is a picture someone posted in a Facebook group (I can only post a link):

https://scontent.fewr1-5.fna.fbcdn....=6c39b598a3a31a49232d8cd3a1f082bb&oe=5EBDE334

There is some debate whether it is a House or Purple Finch; I even thought about hybrid. All things considered, I believe it is a House Finch with somewhat unusual face marking.

What do you think?

Thanks,
Howard

 

Nutcracker

Stop Brexit!

• Feb 20, 2020

• #2

Purple for me - straight culmen, purple flanks. But can see it looks a bit odd, I guess the hybrid suggestion needs to be considered seriously.

 

Microtus

Maryland USA (he/him)

• Feb 20, 2020

• #3

I agree with Nutcracker all the way.

 

Birdbrain22

Well-known member

• Feb 21, 2020

• #4

Yes... definite Purple Finch there.

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Feb 21, 2020

• #5

Male House Finch for me.

 

Seth Miller

Well-known member

• Feb 21, 2020

• #6

No way that's a pure male House Finch. Looks better for Purple to me, but could also be a hybrid as you said.

 

D

D Halas

Well-known member

• Feb 21, 2020

• #7

Another vote for Purple Finch that may well have some House Finch ancestry, but definitely not a pure House Finch.

 

F

fugl

Well-known member

• Feb 21, 2020

• #8

Looks pretty ‘Purplely’ to me.

Here’s what BNA-online has to say about hybridization. . ..

“Hybridization may occur but requires further study. . . Evidence of intermediate forms between Purple Finch and (its) . . . congeners suggests possible hybridization. . . .Report of a male House Finch consorting with a female Purple Finch and her fledglings in Allegheny Co., NY, . . .and observation of an intermediate morph between a Purple Finch and a House Finch (voice similar in tonal quality but not pattern to House Finch; red coloration in areas typical of House Finch, but rosier and lacking the orange hues typical of House Finch; underparts white and lacking streaks, as is typical of Purple Finch) in Philadelphia, PA”.

 

Last edited: Feb 21, 2020