Has anyone checked images of true Carpodacus? The Rose finches of Eurasia. I'm
too lazy. But the genus has been documented to make substantial migrations such
as Sweden to Kazahkstan. And is apparently the source of the Hawaiian
Honeycreepers.Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
-------- Original message --------From: Wayne Hoffman <whoffman@xxxxxxxx> Date:
8/26/20 4:55 PM (GMT-08:00) To: obol <obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: [obol]
finch Hi - Opinion seems to be coalescing on second-summer male Purple Finch in
molt, as the identity of this bird, and this may well be correct. Some
comments have suggested that its appearance is fairly normal for this age/molt
stage. If this age diagnosis is accurate, however, it means that the
red/pink/purple-tipped feathers all have to be new feathers, as this molt would
be where red/pink/purple colors first appear. And if that is the case, the
disheveled appearance particularly of the crown, eyes, and face must mean
something else is going on (injury? skin disease?). IMO these feathers are not
all new, i.e., this bird is older. I have not studied molting Purple Finches,
and do not have much knowledge of the appearance of birds of this age, but
several aspects of its appearance conflict with my preconceptions. I hope that
banders and other OBOLites with more relevant experience can address this
mismatch: 1. The patchy tawny color on the belly (e.g., frame 7340) seems
wrong for any Haemorhous species?2. My impression of Purple Finch wings and
tail are that they should be "colder" - less tawny? Are these colors typical?3.
Is the bill shape (degree of curvature of culmen and width across the base of
the mandibular sheath) within the normal range for Purple Finch?ThanksWayne
