Maggie~~~~~~Bird ID?

Carol Arnett · Post by **Carol Arnett** » Sun May 27, 2007 6:14 pm

Hi Maggie, I hope you have been having a good day.

I have a Finch feeder and so far have seen nothing like what I know a Finch to look like. I do, however, have birds feeding from it and don`t have a clue what they are.

They usually come in pairs...one is brown, the other has a brown back with a red head and chest. They flutter their wings when they "talk" and also while they are feeding. The wings are constantly moving during both activities. Any idea what they might be? Love, Carol

hazel · Post by **hazel** » Mon May 28, 2007 4:45 am

House finches?

annie oakley · Post by **annie oakley** » Mon May 28, 2007 1:00 pm

Maggie is our resident birder but they sound like finches to me. Love oma

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Mon May 28, 2007 1:52 pm

My guess is house finch also. Possibly purple finch.
Maggie...........need your expert opinion!!!

Love, Shirley

Carol Arnett · Post by **Carol Arnett** » Mon May 28, 2007 3:53 pm

Yes, they are house finches. I just looked them up and they look exactly the same. Now I will have to use my binoculars to see if they are banded. Thanks, Carol

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Tue May 29, 2007 5:34 am

Morning Carol,

Just got back from being away and they are 99% sure House Finches. Purple Finches are a rarity and it is good that they are House Finches since they are one of the birds that according to bird counts are being hit with the Avian Flu - others being hit hard are: American Crow, Bluebirds, Blue Jays, Robins, Goldfinches, House Wren, and a couple of others I have forgotten.

Keep watching those feeders.

Love, Maggie

kate_ce1995 · Post by **kate_ce1995** » Tue May 29, 2007 5:53 pm

We just saw a probable house finch at our feeder as well. Weren't they the ones taken out in large numbers several years ago by conjunctivitis?

Blue jays seem as plentiful as ever around here. Gold finch population seemed down this spring. But then 2 years ago we had lots of grosbeaks but only saw one or two last year.

And how does one ID a crow vs. a raven? We have lots of black birds on the highway.

Katy

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Wed May 30, 2007 5:09 am

Hi Katy,

You are right on the conjunctivitis issue with the House Finch. Ravens are way bigger than a crow and are a more "Northerly" bird. The majority of areas will reflect the American Crow vs. the Raven. The beak on a Raven is smaller and the tail has a tendency to be "blunter" but the size is really the significant issue. Northern Ohio and up into the northerly reaches is their residence of norm.

Love, Maggie