Finch Identification
Rick Howie
Who would like to take a crack at this finch?
Here is some information. I photographed it in the Tatlayoko Valley in the west Chilcotin where both Cassin's & Purples occur. There were male Cassin's at the feeder along with this bird.
Note the undertail coverts appear to lack darker markings which some articles say that they are always present on Cassins. There appears to be no or very limited white eye crescents which some claim as being typical of Cassins. Culmen looks quite straight to me.
Plumage seems warmer much like Purple Finch but edging on coverts seems bright as in Cassin's. Face pattern appears quite contrasty.
I have no definitive answer but would like one.
Rick Howie
Kamloops
Rick Howie
The predominant theme from all of the respondents on the female finch is that she is a Purple Finch, with which I agree. Barry postulated that she may be a he, but I will leave that debate for now. I have looked at a variety of other pictures of Purple Finch races and re-read the text of the BNA account. I am with Barry that my bird closely resembles Haemorhous purpureus purpureus and not H.p. californicus. This makes some sense when thinking that one race may have populated BC by spreading through the Rockies from the east and north while another spread up the west side of the coast range mountains. It would be interesting to know if the Tatlayoko Valley banding station attempted to assign subspecies ranking to any birds that they captured, but surely Barry would have mentioned it if they had.
I know Barry has observed the feeder many times where I photographed the bird and mentioned never having seen H.p. californicus there.
The valley is an interesting one in that it supports Red-breasted as well as Red-naped Sapsuckers. The "Blue Grouse" split may not have been sorted out there. I think the assumption is that they are Duskies but could Sooties occur? Willow and Alder Flycatchers are found in the area, perhaps separated by elevation.
Lots to learn. Keep those binoculars tuned folks and thanks for the comments.
Rick Howie
Kamloops
Michael Lancaster
Well 'she' may be a he' depending on the time of the year the image was taken. If it was spring then there is that possibility; as male Purple Finch - unlike House Finch but like Cassin's Finch do not acquire full plumage( that is red!) until their third year of life. It does not stop them singing or mating. So one may see - and I have, a 'female' Cassin's Finch singing.
Barry
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-- M B Lancaster. Currently, Oliver BC Canada
Butterfly
Derrick Marven
Michael Lancaster
Anyone know why on 9.5.17 I get an email relating to something Rick posted on 21.9.17?
There was no image attached and my recollection is that the matter was dealt with at the time.
Barry
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-- M B Lancaster. Currently, Oliver, Canada