Barney Posted September 8, 2020 Share Posted September 8, 2020 3 of these birds were at our feeder yesterday. Look like some kind of grosbeak but can't find them in our books. Have additional pics that wouldn't upload. We live in East County of San Diego in the El Cajon area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bird Nuts Posted September 8, 2020 Share Posted September 8, 2020 Scaly-breasted Munia, also known as Nutmeg Mannikin or Spice Finch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Posted September 8, 2020 Author Share Posted September 8, 2020 Thank you, we have been here 15 years and this is the first time we saw these in our yard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted September 8, 2020 Share Posted September 8, 2020 (edited) 14 minutes ago, Barney said: Thank you, we have been here 15 years and this is the first time we saw these in our yard. You'll probably find them in the very back of your book. Look for a section with Exotics or Non-Natives or Invasives or Escapees. Munia were brought to North America as pets / cage birds. Some escaped or were released, and the climate in SoCal is mild enough to allow them to survive and breed. There are plenty of examples in SoCal and SoFlo of exotics. House Sparrows (formerly 'English Sparrows') and European Starlings are the best known nation-wide examples. Edited September 8, 2020 by Charlie Spencer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Posted September 8, 2020 Author Share Posted September 8, 2020 Thank you Charlie. Now that I have the names, I have been able to locate quite a bit of info, mostly on-line. It might be time to update the books on my shelf... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpresby Posted September 8, 2020 Share Posted September 8, 2020 Great shot. I had a nesting pair in my front yard years ago (Orange County, CA). I had a hard time with that identification until the experts here helped me out. B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Posted September 9, 2020 Author Share Posted September 9, 2020 They were quick, it really helped because I had no luck finding it in any of my books. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.