Outdoor Ontario

Photography => Ontario Birds => Topic started by: Howieh on February 02, 2010, 12:34:52 AM

Title: A couple from the Humber Arboretum
Post by: Howieh on February 02, 2010, 12:34:52 AM

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4324558726_d1ee917be9_o.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4323822701_06ed1327d9_o.jpg)

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Post by: rc2009 on February 02, 2010, 05:05:05 AM

Great shots, very sharp. love the detail in the Downy's eye. Well done.

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Post by: denis on February 02, 2010, 09:56:43 AM

both,excellent pics!
very sharp.

Title: humber arboretum
Post by: Howieh on February 02, 2010, 05:02:06 PM

Thanks! Obtaining a good background at the feeders can be a problem but the variety of visitors is often pretty good. I'm still hoping the whitewinged crossbills will show up (doubtful from what I've read); I'll wait for an owl report before going back there this winter. Pictures shot with a 100-400 lens on a 50D btw.

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Post by: ravynne40 on February 03, 2010, 10:07:09 AM

Beautiful close up on on the Downy
is the second a purple finch?
he's lovely.

Title: finch id
Post by: Howieh on February 03, 2010, 09:28:18 PM

Thanks, he (the downy) was a good subject and he didn't seem to mind me staying pretty close, unlike some of the other birds I was trying to shoot.

As for the finch, my field guide tells me it's a housefinch; any experts out there care to comment?

Title: finch
Post by: jerjack on February 03, 2010, 10:11:20 PM

my  guess is  a house  finch, lacking alot of the  bold red assoc  with a purple and  the head isnt  dipped in the strawberry pot  enuff rofl

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Post by: amblesidebirder on February 04, 2010, 01:25:55 AM

It is a House Finch....the bill says it all. The top culmen is slightly curved.

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Post by: Photoman on February 06, 2010, 02:49:57 PM

Nice House Finch shot, nice colors.

Clemens 8)

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Post by: Bluffs Birder on February 10, 2010, 10:30:48 PM

As for the Finch discussion I think Roger Tory Peterson described the Purple Finch best "A Sparrow dipped in raspberry juice."

The red "headband" is one clear giveaway to ID'ing House Finches, Purples have a more pinkish/purple colouring all over their heads. The crown (top of the head) is more brownish in colour on a House Finch, as you will notice in the above photo.  The dark streaked flanks (just below the wings on the sides of the belly) are also a fairly good indicator, Purple Finches usually have very light or no streaks on their flanks.  The amount of red colouring in the feathers can vary greatly within a bird species, I've seen both ends of this colour variation at the feeders in the backyard and yes it confused the Hell out of me too!, I had the House Finches with lots of 'red' marked down as Purples for the longest time.  The amount of colour on the House Finches, as well as all other bird species, is due to several factors including such things as; whether or not it is a subspecies bird, their diet, and the overall health of the bird.

Hope this helps,
Walter