Is this house finch with white feathers a male, female or juvenile?
Outdoor Ontario

Is this house finch with white feathers a male, female or juvenile?

Charline

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This video will show you almost every angle of the bird. Please tell me if this bird is a male, female or juvenile? Thanks!


Please, if you find it interesting, give me a pat on the shoulder, a.k.a. a "like" on YouTube. Thanks again!



https://youtu.be/jorswCEWDlM


Shortsighted

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Female (juvenile) facial characteristics and some minor red on the rump ... I would say your reasoning makes sense.


Charline

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So SS, what is your verdict? Female juvenile? Did you notice a hint of red on the white cheek?


Shortsighted

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The red rump, or indeed red anywhere at all would indicate a male bird. The leucistic patches might otherwise be red thereby making it an adult bird.
I don't think that finches remain juvenile for long. Some of the blush I noted on your video seemed to be transient, as if caused by a reflection from the glass superimposed over the the propagated image. The red on its rump was definite and real. Your honour, may I approach the bench?


"If the photographer in this case had captured a video of a leucistic finch, not through glass, but through leucite (perspex), would that not be leucitic evidence of a leucistic finch?"

"SS, this supposition is completely irrelevant!" shouted the judge, with stern disapproval. "One more non sequitur like this and I'll hold you in contempt of forum. Do I make myself clear?"


Charline

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Your Honour, Leucy just came, alone, and was singing happily. Must be glad to find more seeds in the feeder.


I took more photos. There is definitely a red/orange hue on the white cheek. I cleaned the window yesterday. The red is not from the reflections. 


Charline

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Luecy has been hanging out with a male. After all, maybe she is a female.  ;D



Bird Brain

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... bromance.
  ;D  Thanks for the really great and much needed laugh!   Very confusing if this bird is a Ricky or not.  Perhaps Ricky Jr.?
Jo-Anne :)

"If what you see by the eye doesn't please you, then close your eyes and see from the heart".


Shortsighted

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Either way it's living La Vida Loca, and as such, I would like to think that Charline has the beat cranked up to make the window pane vibrate. Ya baby! Umph ... umph ... umph!

Salsa anyone?


Bird Brain

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I took more photos. There is definitely a red/orange hue on the white cheek.
I don't think this bird is a  juv and guessing male due to this red.  Not sure we"ll ever be100% sure so for now will remain a "mystery bird". ???
Jo-Anne :)

"If what you see by the eye doesn't please you, then close your eyes and see from the heart".