White purple finch?
Outdoor Ontario

White purple finch?

Tml4everx

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A friend suggested I post a request for help identifying the white bird in the 4 photos posted below.  I think this forum will be very helpful.

   http://www.flickr.com/photos/tml4everx

This bird visited my feeders a least a dozen times last Sunday.  I have many House Finches at the feeders, but I have not seen any Purple Finches.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Brad
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Tml4everx »


worth

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The House Finch looks like a partial albino (pink legs & bill, white feathers) although the eye is still dark.
Most Purple Finches have  already moved farther south through your area.
Dave
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by worth »
Dave
Toronto


Brian Bailey

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It appears to be a house finch which is lacking some colour.  There is another recent discussion on this board about what this should be called:
http://outdoorontario.net/birds/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=1363

So whether you call it "partial albino", "amelanistic", or "leucistic", it is a House Finch with a white head and some white wing feathers.  It's interesting that this bird has pink legs and bill.  Most photos I've seen of partially white birds have normally coloured legs and bill, with only the feathers abnormal.

BB
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Brian Bailey »
Brian Bailey
Etobicoke


Tyler

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Nice partial Albino female House finch.

I had one at my feeders in Oshawa 3 years ago. It look alot like your except it had some red mottled in the white head and on the top of the breast. Attractive birds
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Tyler »


Tml4everx

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Thank for the responses.  This is the first House Finch that had me jumping out of my chair!  

Now after reading what this should be called, I can really say that I've learned something new.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Tml4everx »