Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Name Those Birds

A couple of small birds that hang out here a LOT. They are about the size of sparrows and they are mates. I assume the red headed one is the male. Anyone know what they are?

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13 comments:

  1. Dizzy-DickJuly 8, 2014 at 5:07 PM

    I don't know for sure but it could be a red crossbill. I can't see if its upper and lower bill crosses at the tip. A scarlet tanager has a lot more red on it. That is the only two I can think of. Of course it may be something that wondered north from South or Central America.

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    1. tffnguyJuly 8, 2014 at 5:33 PM

      DD, I think they are only here in the summer so no telling where they come from?

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  2. Marlin AndrusJuly 8, 2014 at 10:48 PM

    They are House Finches...and you are correct that the red headed one is the male, common in most of the county but as you mention down south only part of the year.

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    1. tffnguyJuly 9, 2014 at 12:10 AM

      That's nice to know. If I can ever get a picture of the black bird with a yellow head and breast I'll post and ask again.

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  3. Marlin AndrusJuly 9, 2014 at 7:31 AM

    You have described perfectly a bird that is known by that name...it's called Yellow-headed Blackbird. My wife and I see them rarely in Gate 7 on Terlingua Ranch.

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  4. tffnguyJuly 9, 2014 at 8:59 AM

    I guess that would be a fitting name. ;)

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  5. RandyJuly 9, 2014 at 9:01 AM

    Don't know about them being called house finches, around my part of Texas they are called Linnets.

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    1. tffnguyJuly 9, 2014 at 9:25 AM

      Don't want to start any arguments, but looking at the pictures of both online it looks like they are two different type birds. He house finches seem to have the correct shaped bill.

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  6. MsBelindaJuly 9, 2014 at 11:42 AM

    I think you got the answer to your question...I would not have been able to help you anyway :(

    They are pretty birds anyway and must LOVE the warm weather of South Brewster county!

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    1. tffnguyJuly 9, 2014 at 2:46 PM

      MsB, they probably just like the ice cold water dripping out of the ice chest from ice melt. It goes in to Shelah's water dish. Of course so does Shelah, all the critters and other birds around here to though.

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  7. Marlin AndrusJuly 9, 2014 at 1:18 PM

    Linnet's look very much like House Finch's but are found in Europe. Linnet breeding males are very colorful.

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  8. UnknownJuly 9, 2014 at 9:03 PM

    Yes they are house finches and the yellow headed blackbird is the other. All the birds are amazing they can find water anywhere. They also eat dog food if you leave it out

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  9. tffnguyJuly 9, 2014 at 9:14 PM

    Madaleine, Shelah is good about sharing her food. Even the desert varmints and birds get fed around here. :) Of course she shares her water to.

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