OK, I give. Based on that, and the rarity of Purple Finches over here,
I'll have to say it was probably a Cassin's. But hey, I have Cassin's
Finches at my feeder. That's pretty cool, huh?


Sherrie
hocketts at vetmed.wsu.edu

> I would have to concur, based upon Purple Finches banded in Clatsop Co.
> OR. The better keys to Cassin's/Purple identification are the degree
> of contrast to the streaking on the back and bill shape, both of which
> are also very qualitative in the field.


>>
>> Having banded hundreds of both purple and Cassin's finches we do not
believe
>>that streaking on the under-tail coverts if a confirmation of Cassin's
rather
>>than purples... There is a lot of variability on that feature. We have
>>had Cassin's with no streaking and purples with light streaking. We band
>>North of Blewett/Swauk Pass near Camas Meadows and Have flocks of both
in that >area.
>
>

--
*********************************** I was of three minds
* Mike Patterson, Astoria, OR * like a tree
* mpatters at orednet.org * in which there are three blackbirds.
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