This is one of those "you'll never believe this, but..." stories:

I was out picking blackberries in my yard this afternoon, when a mystery
bird appeared that I could hardly believe - obviously someone's pet escaped,
but I'd sure like to know what it was (it will make a very UNUSUAL addition
to my yard list)!!

It was a small (goldfinch-sized?) tan/grey bird, with a BRIGHT PINK
finch-like bill, large orange cheek patches, a black and white barred tail,
and brown stripes along its sides, below the wings. I'm sure there must
have been more distinguishing features, but I didn't get to look at it for
very long. It had a fluttery, whirring kind of flight, like a cross between
a finch and a hummingbird. It also had a medium pitched nasal CHEE, CHEE
call. Never having really looked at birds in pet shops, I have no idea what
this might have been, other than the finch-bill clue.

It seemed quite at home in my yard, perching on the blackberries, and
pecking at the thistles! Let me know if you have any ideas...

Teresa Michelsen
temi461 at ecy.wa.gov

P.S. Is there somewhere I should report this, like a lost pets hotline?