Bird ID Help

12 years ago

I'm trying to identify a couple of birds that turned up at one of my bird feeders on it's second day out. I'm 55 miles west of Chicago, IL.

The picture is the best I can get with my digital camera on full zoom through the window from 20 feet away. Forgive me!

The bird on the lower right is a female Cardinal, but the one on the lower left looks like a sparrow of some sort? And the one on the upper left looks like a Redpoll to my very inexperienced eyes.

Comments welcome!

This post was edited by farmboy1 on Fri, Apr 5, 13 at 0:02

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

Konrad___far_north
12 years ago
Top left looks like a house finch, ..not sure about the other.
calliope
12 years ago
Yes.... female cardinal, male house finch, and sparrow and my guess is house(English) sparrow. What tells me that it is this is the pattern on its back. House sparrows have a more mottled, variable pattern on their backs, rather unlike the true sparrows. The two grey bars is a fairly common indicator. You will also notice the house sparrow beak is not a slender as a true sparrow and more finch-like.

Here is a link that might be useful: Back of house sparrow
Related Discussions
Bird ID help
Q
Comments (1)
Yup-Palm Warbler! I've not seen any yet this spring..not in the right place at the right time, I reckon
...See More
bird ID help
Q
Comments (3)
feather, I'm on the east coast (VA). I'm not exactly sure how to read these range maps in the bird reference book, but it shows the band-tailed pigeon is out your way, along the west coast, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, and parts of Mexico. Whatever that bird was, I haven't seen since that day. I had 2 feeders up, but took one down last week and the second one down this morning. I'm not feeding cracked corn or any cheap food for critters. I was getting tired of the grackles and starlings. I've been feeding hummers for several years now, and it is WAY less expensive to do so.
...See More
Bird ID help
Q
Comments (2)
Nice, didn't think of that. I was going Vireo. I think your right. Thanks.
...See More
bird id help
Q
Comments (4)
Wow birding nut. You have really good eyes. I'd have not been able to ID with the small pic! Kate, I am in NW GA, and I have a pair of the Great Crested Flycatchers nesting in my yard each summer. They arrived here on April 29th this year, so yours would get to you sooner. They are so special and wonderful to have around. I am trying to establish a Purple Martin colony, and it was that housing that attracted the Flycatchers in. Obviously, I cannot allow them to use the Martin housing. I hung a plastic gourd on a shepherd's hook in an open space, and they took right to it. They return from South America each year to nest. Such a thrill to see them come in!~Angie
...See More
farmboy1
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks, I did some looking in my birding books late last night and the one on the upper left looks like a red finch, as I've seen others with a distinct reddish coloring on the head and neck.

Interesting to find out what is showing up at the feeder, because it is sure popular, need to refill it already this afternoon.
birding_nut
12 years ago
Male House Finch, female Northern Cardinal, and female House Sparrow.

BN

Related Stories

EARTH DAY How to Help Your Town’s Beneficial Birds and Bugs

By Annie Thornton

Make a habitat using local materials to provide a home to the creatures that help our gardens

Full Story

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Be a Citizen Scientist to Help Wildlife, Learn and Have Fun Too

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Track butterflies, study birds, capture stars ... when you aid monitoring efforts, you’re lending Mother Nature a hand

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Backyard Birds: Northern Cardinals in the Snow, and Other Red Birds

By Habitat Network

Brilliant crimson feathers make these friends stand out in a crowd

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES You Don't Need Prairie to Help Pollinators

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Woodlands, marshes, deserts — pollinators are everywhere

Full Story

BATHROOM WORKBOOK Standard Dimensions and Measurements for a Primary Bath

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Create a luxe bathroom that functions well with these key fixture dimensions and layout tips

Full Story

144

STANDARD MEASUREMENTS The Right Dimensions for Your Porch

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Depth, width, proportion and detailing all contribute to the comfort and functionality of this transitional space

Full Story

204

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Native Plants Help You Find Your Garden Style

By Oakley Gardens

Imagine the garden of your dreams designed with plants indigenous to your region

Full Story

Ideabook 911: Help Me Finish My Foyer

By Becky Harris

Full Story

STANDARD MEASUREMENTS Key Measurements to Help You Design Your Home

By Anne Colby

Architect Steven Randel has taken the measure of each room of the house and its contents. You’ll find everything here

Full Story

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Saturated Colors Help a 1920s Fixer-Upper Flourish

By Mad Mod Home

Bright paint and cheerful patterns give this Spanish-style Los Angeles home a thriving new personality

Full Story

Bird ID Help

Comments (4)

Konrad___far_north

calliope

Related Discussions

farmboy1
Original Author

birding_nut

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Bird ID Help

Comments (4)

Konrad___far_north

calliope

Related Discussions

farmboy1Original Author

birding_nut

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

farmboy1
Original Author