I think those are House Finches, Gil. Purple Finches are very red all over including the underside and the back just above the tails and a red wash throughout all the wing streaks. I've read them described as 'the whole bird looks like its been dipped in raspberry juice'. I have 3 males and several females at the moment in my yard and am hoping they stay around. Konrad, I'm fairly certain yours is also a House Finch as well. I find they vary greatly in the amount of red or orange present on the head, neck and breast. I have had a very special visitor the last couple of days - a European Goldfinch. I managed to get some poor quality photos today, mostly so I could ask the experts for ID which I got today. Gonna be trying to get a better photo, but in the meantime, this is what it looks like. Here is a link that might be useful: Photo of European Goldfinch

Well somebody's been extremely busy! I now have a nest on the outside light! Just a few pieces of what looked like straw yesterday, today a full nest. I am a little surprised that they went ahead and made the nest there, hopefully I can get some pictures when I get eggs! If I'm lucky, I can get pictures of the birds and you guys can positively ID them for me! I'm excited...lol... Fairy, I've heard robins use the same nest year after year if not removed. Did they come back? Oh and hey dirtgirl...put your link down here where you reply in the spot where it says Optional Link URL: then just give it whatever name you'd like below. Easy. Terry Here is a link that might be useful: dirtgirls fav bird link

Yes, Purple Finches also don't have those brown streaked flanks that are present on House Finches. BN

It was so much fun to look at your photos! It looks like you had an enjoyable summer with your birds - and the cardinal youngsters are so adorable. Your landscape also looks pretty and very bird-friendly. It's neat to see what others have done with their space. By any chance, did you ever see where the cardinals' nest was? Just curious. We have had cardinals in and out of our yard here this summer, but I have never seen a nest or even seen them retreat to a particular space, they just come to the crabapple tree and make a quick run to the feeder, then back to the tree, and back to wherever their "homebase" is. You will no doubt be enjoying your cardinals throughout the winter, which will be fun. Thanks for sharing -