Louie 7 Posted December 12, 2020 Share Posted December 12, 2020 I saw a flock of these birds today in Lincoln County WA. The birds were very vocal and quick moving (hence the tail shot) at the top of a 50 foot pine tree. Seeing the red, my first impression was it could be a house finch, but I don't know if they have that notched of a tail or if the behavior fit. I'm wondering if anyone here can ID a bird from it's tail? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Avery 1,910 Posted December 12, 2020 Share Posted December 12, 2020 That’s a really short tail, and those UTC are distinctive. Having trouble putting two and two together. Can you describe the vocalisations? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aaron 834 Posted December 12, 2020 Share Posted December 12, 2020 Red crossbills? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Avery 1,910 Posted December 12, 2020 Share Posted December 12, 2020 2 minutes ago, Aaron said: Red crossbills? I guess that’s what they have to be. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Louie 7 Posted December 12, 2020 Author Share Posted December 12, 2020 1 minute ago, Avery said: That’s a really short tail, and those UTC are distinctive. Having trouble putting two and two together. Can you describe the vocalisations? 7 minutes ago, Avery said: That’s a really short tail, and those UTC are distinctive. Having trouble putting two and two together. Can you describe the vocalisations? I'm terrible at bird calls - but I did do a search while I was there and thought it sounded similar to a common redpoll. But unless a bird has a very distinctive call I just can't be sure. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Birding Boy 2,270 Posted December 12, 2020 Share Posted December 12, 2020 9 minutes ago, Aaron said: Red crossbills? Absolutely Red Crossbills. Nice! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Louie 7 Posted December 12, 2020 Author Share Posted December 12, 2020 6 minutes ago, Avery said: I guess that’s what they have to be. 8 minutes ago, Avery said: I guess that’s what they have to be. Do they fly in flocks? There were 14 of them Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Birding Boy 2,270 Posted December 12, 2020 Share Posted December 12, 2020 Just now, Louie said: Do they fly in flocks? There were 14 of them Almost always in flocks. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Louie 7 Posted December 12, 2020 Author Share Posted December 12, 2020 2 minutes ago, Birding Boy said: Absolutely Red Crossbills. Nice! I'm pretty new to this, could you please tell me how you know? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aaron 834 Posted December 12, 2020 Share Posted December 12, 2020 To me, their calls sound like “tut tut tut tut” but there’s lot of variety in their calls that depends largely on where you live. Ive never seen one by itself, usually in flocks of 7+. The colour plus being in a coniferous tree (they are specially adapted to eat cones) lead me to them. Further more, the tail and the undertail coverts are more clues. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Avery 1,910 Posted December 12, 2020 Share Posted December 12, 2020 2 minutes ago, Louie said: I'm pretty new to this, could you please tell me how you know? One, the short tail with that patterned inter tail coverts. Two, the red. Three, the fact it’s in a coniferous tree 😂 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Avery 1,910 Posted December 12, 2020 Share Posted December 12, 2020 Just now, Aaron said: To me, their calls sound like “tut tut tut tut” but there’s lot of variety in their calls that depends largely on where you live. Ive never seen one by itself, usually in flocks of 7+. The colour plus being in a coniferous tree (they are specially adapted to eat cones) lead me to them. Further more, the tail and the undertail coverts are more clues. I actually had a lone Type 10 today, although there was a small flock of white-wingers nearby. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Louie 7 Posted December 12, 2020 Author Share Posted December 12, 2020 1 minute ago, Avery said: I actually had a lone Type 10 today, although there was a small flock of white-wingers nearby. Thank you so much for your help! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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