Jodi Nielson Posted November 1, 2020 Share Posted November 1, 2020 This bird was hanging out eating sunflower seeds at the feeder. My first thought was House or Purple but the yellow has me totally confused. Taken this morning in Warren County, South Central, Kentucky. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seanbirds Posted November 1, 2020 Share Posted November 1, 2020 Variant Purple Finch. Could not be anything else with that head pattern. Very unusual bird! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jodi Nielson Posted November 1, 2020 Author Share Posted November 1, 2020 Thanks. Anyone else have a thought? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seanbirds Posted November 1, 2020 Share Posted November 1, 2020 Take a look at this. https://www.sibleyguides.com/2012/07/a-yellow-purple-finch-in-ontario/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avery Posted November 1, 2020 Share Posted November 1, 2020 The eastern subspecies of purple finches do sometimes have a little yellow when they aren’t red. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Posted November 1, 2020 Share Posted November 1, 2020 Part of this could be the light- in the first photo it appears quite yellow, but in the subsequent two only very slightly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jodi Nielson Posted November 1, 2020 Author Share Posted November 1, 2020 @Benjamin in the first photo he was in full sunlight, in the subsequent 2 the light was much more moderate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jodi Nielson Posted November 1, 2020 Author Share Posted November 1, 2020 @Seanbirds thanks, that was informative. Here are a couple more pics that show off the yellow... Aside from cropping, I haven't fiddled with anything else. These are as taken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted November 1, 2020 Share Posted November 1, 2020 For those that aren't aware of it, House Finches can also come in yellow or orange. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bird Nuts Posted November 1, 2020 Share Posted November 1, 2020 (edited) 14 minutes ago, Charlie Spencer said: For those that aren't aware of it, House Finches can also come in yellow or orange. Yes, but, as far as I know, that's only the males with adult feathers. This Purple Finch is not an adult male. Edited November 1, 2020 by The Bird Nuts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Leukering Posted November 2, 2020 Share Posted November 2, 2020 3 hours ago, The Bird Nuts said: This Purple Finch is not an adult male. Why not? This bird is yellow everywhere that an adult male is pink/raspberry (whatever color, but not Purple). I'm NOT saying that it's definitely an adult male, but I don't know that it's ageable or sexable given the odd plumage. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKLland Posted November 4, 2020 Share Posted November 4, 2020 https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Purple_Finch/id to me it could be a lighting problem with a normal female? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bird Nuts Posted November 4, 2020 Share Posted November 4, 2020 9 hours ago, IKLland said: to me it could be a lighting problem with a normal female? The middle of the breast and belly would have also been yellow if it were due to lighting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKLland Posted November 5, 2020 Share Posted November 5, 2020 On 11/4/2020 at 5:01 AM, The Bird Nuts said: The middle of the breast and belly would have also been yellow if it were due to lighting. Yes you are right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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