Feeding Wild Birds

[ValerieJ]

Much smaller than it looks in the photo. Merlin says purple finch or house finch. We think house finch. What say you? No, it does not have a big white beak. That is an illusion created by space in the tree lol

ETA: tried a 2nd photo. Merlin says purple finch.

 

[Molpet]

That’s a lot of feed! My problem is I want all the wild animals to be pets I have a tough time doing more than shooing them away.

I went through that phase long ago. After numerous problems, fire from mice chewing wires, birds plugging the chimney to the furnace, raccoons in the attic..... I thin the population of animals that aren't legally protected.

 

[R2elk]

Much smaller than it looks in the photo. Merlin says purple finch or house finch. We think house finch. What say you? No, it does not have a big white beak. That is an illusion created by space in the tree lol
View attachment 4145419

Sorry, the quality of the photo is too poor to say.

 

[ValerieJ]

Sorry, the quality of the photo is too poor to say.

Yes, that is the trouble we were having. It was definitely as small as a finch, but not as stout. However, I cannot find another bird in the Washington lists that look anything like this but these two.

Anxious to get my new field guide.

 

[SemiSweet2391]

Much smaller than it looks in the photo. Merlin says purple finch or house finch. We think house finch. What say you? No, it does not have a big white beak. That is an illusion created by space in the tree lol
View attachment 4145419
ETA: tried a 2nd photo. Merlin says purple finch.

I’d say male house finch! Very pretty bird

 

[sourland]

Much smaller than it looks in the photo. Merlin says purple finch or house finch. We think house finch. What say you? No, it does not have a big white beak. That is an illusion created by space in the tree lol
View attachment 4145419
ETA: tried a 2nd photo. Merlin says purple finch.

I lean towards Merlin's identification.

 

[fuzzi]

Much smaller than it looks in the photo. Merlin says purple finch or house finch. We think house finch. What say you? No, it does not have a big white beak. That is an illusion created by space in the tree lol
View attachment 4145419
ETA: tried a 2nd photo. Merlin says purple finch.

I'm going to go with Purple finch. The best way to tell them apart is the breast.

Peterson described the Purple finch as a "sparrow dipped in raspberry juice", and I think I see that here.

Did you know that the House finch is not native? It was introduced to the US around 1940.

 

[R2elk]

Did you know that the House finch is not native? It was introduced to the US around 1940.

Yes but unlike the House Sparrow and Starling, House Finches have not been declared invasive and are protected.

 

[ValerieJ]

I'm going to go with Purple finch. The best way to tell them apart is the breast.

Peterson described the Purple finch as a "sparrow dipped in raspberry juice", and I think I see that here.

View attachment 4145468
Did you know that the House finch is not native? It was introduced to the US around 1940.

That actually looks like the bird we saw. Thanks! I can definitely see the difference.

Sorry for the bad photos here. My phone camera is as bad as my old eyes.

 

[ValerieJ]

Yes but unlike the House Sparrow and Starling, House Finches have not been declared invasive and are protected.

It's okay. We like it. There will be no bird hunting here. lol