Help ID this little guy in SE Arizona, United States (2 Viewers)

[Rebecca of Sunny Arizona]

I have been seeing him for about two weeks in Cochise County, AZ. He is about the size of a house finch. The pictures unfortunately are not very good, but in real life, the most striking thing is the feathers on top of the head look like a crewcut. A reddish breast and white patches on either side of the neck.

 

[Butty]

Welcome to BF.
It looks (fairly) like an adult male house finch with an aberrant head-pattern. The whole of the underparts looks right for house finch. Would be nice to see the bill better.

 

[delia todd]

Hi Rebecca and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.

 

[Rebecca of Sunny Arizona]

Welcome to BF.
It looks (fairly) like an adult male house finch with an aberrant head-pattern. The whole of the underparts looks right for house finch. Would be nice to see the bill better.

Thank you. I was wondering if he were a mutation, a mix of something (like piroxholia and house finch), or just a very lost guy who should be a thousand miles away. I will look and see if he has the same beak as the house finches. I don't have a good camera. Those were taken with a phone, and they were hard to get because he doesn't stay still.

 

[Kits]

Welcome to Birdforum. I hope you enjoy your visits.

 

[Rebecca of Sunny Arizona]

Welcome to Birdforum. I hope you enjoy your visits.

Thank you.

 

[Rebecca of Sunny Arizona]

Hi Rebecca and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.

Thank you.

 

[Lisa W]

Hi Rebecca and welcome to the forum from an ex-Cochise County resident. The body does look like a finch, I do wish we could see his beak better.

 

[raymie]

Pretty sure it's an aberrant House Finch.

 

[Rebecca of Sunny Arizona]

I have been seeing him for about two weeks in Cochise County, AZ. He is about the size of a house finch. The pictures unfortunately are not very good, but in real life, the most striking thing is the feathers on top of the head look like a crewcut. A reddish breast and white patches on either side of the neck.

If he is an aberrant house finch, will the females mate with him, or will he be shunned because he looks different?

 

[raymie]

If he is an aberrant house finch, will the females mate with him, or will he be shunned because he looks different?

I don't think this sort of thing has been studied before. If you notice any observations regarding this, feel free to share them here!