Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Backyard Birding => Topic started by: Sahria on February 14, 2011, 08:19:34 AM

Title: Orange House Finch
Post by: Sahria on February 14, 2011, 08:19:34 AM

I had an orange House Finch at my feeder this morning. It was a very bright male, an awesome treat since all I'm getting these days are House Finches and House Sparrows. I'm curious as to how often this occurs. I read that it's due to diet, so I'm guessing he must be new to my station. Does anyone else get colour variants other than leucistic and melanistic birds?

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Post by: BC on February 14, 2011, 08:03:52 PM

It's called the yellow variant but they often look quite orange. I've seen a few individuals over the years.

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Post by: Reuven_M on February 14, 2011, 10:12:22 PM

I've seen an orange house finch in streetsville

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Post by: RKD on February 14, 2011, 10:21:35 PM

I've never seen one. Are they distinctly different from normal House Finches?

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Post by: Reuven_M on February 14, 2011, 10:22:06 PM

Not really, just look orange or yellow rather than red. Apparently a result of diet.

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Post by: Sahria on February 15, 2011, 07:45:59 AM

This was the first time I've seen one in my two years of feeding them. Like Reuven said, this one looked just like normal males, only a bright orange.