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ID Request - pic from last May

claireplymouth z6b coastal MA

10 years ago

I was just organizing some photos I took last year and I found this picture of an unknown bird on a tube feeder in my yard. This was taken in Plymouth, MA on May 24, 2013.

I had some car problems on that day and I may have just snapped the photo and forgotten about it while I went off to the repair shop. I have no other view of the bird - just two nearly identical back views. Can anyone identify the bird?

Thanks,
Claire

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Comments (7)

birding_nut
10 years ago
Male House Finch.

BN
claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
Original Author
10 years ago
Really? The tail looks much darker and longer than in this pic of a male and female House Finch I took in December.

The tail is what confused me - maybe an artifact of the lighting?

Anyway, thanks, BN, I'll take your word for it.

Claire
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birding_nut
10 years ago
There are only two red finches that would be expected in May in MA, those are House and Purple. The length of the tail, wing color, and head color do not fit Purple. Also, in May, feathers are becoming quite worn as you can see in the pic. The secondary, primaries and tail feathers (retrices) are all showing signs of wear. That, and the lighting of the photo, could make the tail look darker than you are used to seeing.

BN
claireplymouth z6b coastal MA
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks, BN, for the explanation. It does make sense, and I see House Finches fairly often here, mostly in the winter. I can see the House Finch in the body and head, it was just the tail that looked wrong, but worn feathers are reasonable.

I just found this photo of half of a male House Finch from May 22, 2012, and the tail also looks darkish and long.

I rarely see Purple Finches but I found an old photo from Jan. 4, 2009 of what I think was a male Purple Finch with a similar back view.

The color is definitely in the raspberry range.

Sometimes there are advantages to keeping way too many photos on your computer.

Thanks again - that mystery photo was really annoying me.

Claire
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10 years ago
I cannot seem to identify this bird. Taken Central Florida, East coast end of January. Can anyone help me? Thank you.
birding_nut
10 years ago
Looks like a Willet.

BN
catherinet
10 years ago
Claire..........that IS a long dark tail! That would have confused me too. I suppose it could just be a curious variation.

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