Monday, February 9, 2015 TWO Purple Finches confirmed


Seward, Alaska

Ava noticed that her PURPLE FINCH seemed to be brighter every now and then and suspected there were actually two. Finally, she saw them both at the same time to confirm it. Subsequent birders also saw two simultaneously. Each was duly scrutinized for that faint eye ring and streaked undertail coverts that would identify a Cassin’s Finch instead. No deal, no matter how hard one squinted.

I was unable to photograph the two PURPLE FINCHES together, but after checking my photos, it’s pretty clear that one is much whiter and brighter. Stokes Field Guide to the Birds shows two females quite similar to these, with one much brighter, though juvenile males resemble females.

If you come to Ava’s Place, your chances to see a PURPLE FINCH have just doubled!

Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter





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