Gem6155

I have those House Finches out here in AZ as well - usually trying to figure out how to access the nectar in my Hummer feeders. The males certainly are especially colorful with that bright purple-ish red from their heads thru their chests! Though pretty common, I find them quite amusing, happy little birds that 'play' in the bushes... I have also found that they can be quite susceptible to outdoor chemicals, maybe heavily used pesticides, weed killers, etc. (at least out here). I have had several show up on the patio literally covered in tumors! 2 were so extremely bad, that I was surprised they could even see where they were going... so gut-wrenching to see. Just my opinion, but maybe bc they're so common & what I've seen, they're yet another species that is indicative of local environmental health?(Heartbreaking to see such chipper little chirpers suffer resulting effects at the possible hands of our own ignorance)

Weirdly enough, cannot find Hooded Oriole in database (even manually) - which would make sense for my having to ask I suppose... OR I could be just losing my mind! ? Thanks again guys! Very appreciative for your help & patience!

Oh, and thank you for the welcome! I used to be a member YEARS ago... Happy to be here!

Wow, thank you! Every pic I've seen online, the head always seems much smaller/ compact w a shorter beak! I think I also JUST saw the male (the ONLY pair I've seen around here) & he looked all (bright) yellow but with a black mask around his eyes. Very strange bc I have seen what I thought were Orioles before - but those were much more compact, smaller birds than these guys! (maybe those other more compact yellow/black birds were actually Goldfinches then) THANK YOU!

The weirdest bird I've seen going at my HB feeder like there's no tomorrow. To me, it looks like a catbird mated w a Goldfinch, or maybe more appropriately colored like a Pine Warbler... the head/ longer bill & overall shape just doesn't seem right and it seems to act more like a woodpecker or flicker the way it's been flying/ climbing around my patio where the feeder is. The coloring is VERY PALE yellow & some white underneath and even the tail feathers are a slight yellow on the top. The rest of the bird is mostly a pale grey-ish color... BUT THAT HEAD and bill are just throwing me for a loop! I'm also in AZ & I believe this same bird must be nesting just now - believe I dae it chasing a Grackle away ystdy. It's in a common area tall tree over my pool (the waterfall has seemingly become the neighborhood drinking fountain/ birdbath) - so I get all types of birds from Common Rock & brown/ cream Pigeons, to Great Tailed Grackles, Hummers of course (just had 2 black chinned females fledge), and White Winged Doves plus some pretty strange ones I'm trying to capture photos of 1st. It's driving me crazy trying to confirm exactly what it is (clearly female from how muted the colors are - ?) Thx guys