ML614420006

Observation details

Large finch (appeared almost 2x as large as the siskins), thick, straight yellowish bill, very warm brown overall, with black in front of the eye and the first 1/4 of the crown, and the rest of the crown was light gray. Whitish eyering which was wider in the back of the eye than the front. Cheeks back and upper breast were a very warm brown, almost orangish, with the chest/breast transitioning to pick at the belly. black and pinkish undertail coverts. Back was the same warm brown as the front, wings started out warm brown, went to pink, and then fairly light gray/whitish. also, the wings were much shorter than the tail. Tail appeared light gray/whitish For the first 40 min or so, the bird sat in a fir, looking around and occasionally opening its mouth. It then moved to the feeding platform and fed for a couple minutes, flew back into the trees, and then flew when the flock of siskins left. While the size difference was noticeable on the feeder, it was even more apparent in flight. Similar Species: Brown-capped Rosy-Finch: While BCRF can have some gray in the crown, it is not anywhere near as extensive as in this bird. The gray in this bird's crown also contrasted nicely with the black at the front of the crown. Black Rosy-Finch: as the name suggests, should be blackish throughout, or at least very dark/dark gray throughout, instead of the warm brown of this bird. striking gray crown also is a strike against BLRF. Other subspecies of Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch: Should all have gray cheeks and more pronounced black under the chin. This bird had a little black under the chin, but not much, and very warm brown cheeks. Size, bill, brown and pink (rosy) colors should eliminate pretty much everything else.