ML615118707

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

The bird was small, no larger than a House Sparrow, but had a very large, grosbeak-like bill, a wash of yellow on its face and breast with delicate black streaks, and hints of red on its back. The wings showed obvious rufous at the shoulder. A faint bib of black was on the upper breast. It almost reminded us of a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak or even a Nelson’s Sparrow, but the wash of yellow on the face, the heavy black malar, and the somewhat pale auriculars differentiated it from the other birds. We also noted the lack of spots on the somewhat spiky tail or its wings. Distinctive call heard twice. We took this to be a first-winter male. I am attaching two photos one of my own and one of the homeowner’s. Both images have been lightened, but otherwise unaltered. Unfortunately, for the time being this bird is NOT CHASABLE. If the homeowner’s willingness to accept visitors changes, they will let us know.

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS 60D

Lens

EF400mm f/5.6L USM

ISO

160

Focal length

400 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/6.3

Shutter speed

1/640 sec

Dimensions

1179 pixels x 1064 pixels

Original file size

773.21 KB