[obol] Yellow Carpodacus finch photo

[David Bailey]

Barb et al.,

That the tail is obviously notched, the undertail coverts are unmarked 
the, the streaking on the flanks and back look yellow to me, the finch 
appears bull-necked and large-headed, the culmen is only moderately 
decurved, the auricular patch is well defined by a wide yellow boarder, 
the flank streaks merge seamlessly with the belly yellow, the wingbars,  
tertials and secondaries are all edged in yellow are all phenotypes of 
PURPLE FINCH and not House Finch. Cassin's Finch would show a straighter 
culmen and streaked undertail coverts among other differences. The 
crested appearance of Purple Finch is not skeletal, but controlled by 
muscular contraction of the feather tracks. Therefore it can be absent 
as it is in this individual.

Of course, I am open to correction.

Respectfully,
David

David C. Bailey
Seaside, Oregon
baileydc at pdx.edu

> *Subject: Subject: Re: Yellow Carpodacus finch photo
> From: bcombs AT dialoregon.net
> Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2007 23:31:51 -0800 (PST)
>
> The streaking on the visible flank is brown, not red or yellow.  The shape
> of the head is just wrong for Purple Finch.  This bird has a very rounded
> flat head, while a Purple Finch's head would have more of a peaked or
> crested look to it.  I think this is a House Finch.
>
> On Tue, March 6, 2007 10:41 am, Dennis P. Vroman said:
> > John,
> >
> > The bird appears to be a Purple Finch to me.  In the past, I have 
> captured
> > an banded similar colored Purple Finches.  However, they are not a 
> common
> > in
> > the population as "yellow" House Finches.
> >
> > Also, the bird (if the same individual your seeing on different years)
> > appear to be on their way north during spring migration, the timing is
> > right.
> >
> > Dennis
> >
> >> Good morning all,
> >>
> >> Digging through some photos I have accumulated, I ran across one of a
> >> yellow finch that has been visiting our home in Scappoose each 
> April for
> >> the past two years, It is likely Carpodacus but the species is
> >> questionable (at least to me) as to either House or Purple.
> >>
> >> I have put the image on my website at www.bornagainbirdwatcher.com. All
> >> thought and opinions are welcomed, especially those who accompany an ID
> >> with their reasoning behind the decision.
> >>
> >> Peace and good bird watching,
> >> John E. Riutta
> >> Scappoose, Oregon
> >>
> >> john AT bornagainbirdwatcher.com*
> From: bcombs AT dialoregon.net
> Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2007 23:31:51 -0800 (PST)
> The streaking on the visible flank is brown, not red or yellow.  The shape
> of the head is just wrong for Purple Finch.  This bird has a very rounded
> flat head, while a Purple Finch's head would have more of a peaked or
> crested look to it.  I think this is a House Finch.
>
> On Tue, March 6, 2007 10:41 am, Dennis P. Vroman said:
> > John,
> >
> > The bird appears to be a Purple Finch to me.  In the past, I have captured
> > an banded similar colored Purple Finches.  However, they are not a common
> > in
> > the population as "yellow" House Finches.
> >
> > Also, the bird (if the same individual your seeing on different years)
> > appear to be on their way north during spring migration, the timing is
> > right.
> >
> > Dennis
> >
> >> Good morning all,
> >>
> >> Digging through some photos I have accumulated, I ran across one of a
> >> yellow finch that has been visiting our home in Scappoose each April for
> >> the past two years, It is likely Carpodacus but the species is
> >> questionable (at least to me) as to either House or Purple.
> >>
> >> I have put the image on my website at www.bornagainbirdwatcher.com. All
> >> thought and opinions are welcomed, especially those who accompany an ID
> >> with their reasoning behind the decision.
> >>
> >> Peace and good bird watching,
> >> John E. Riutta
> >> Scappoose, Oregon
> >>
> >> john AT bornagainbirdwatcher.com