At my backyard feeder in Two Rivers County Park just outside Kennewick, orange or yellow variations of male HOUSE FINCH (in fall and winter) are not at all rare. In fact they may represent as much as 10% of the total number of males present. It has been suggested in some of the literature I've read that this color variation is diet related. I can't say I've ever seen this color of male HOUSE FINCH in spring or summer here.

Dennis Rockwell Kennewick, WA dennis.rockwell at gte.net

A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.
William James (1842-1910)

-----Original Message-----
From: LDavey at aol.com <LDavey at aol.com>
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Date: Thursday, June 13, 2002 10:49 AM
Subject: Re: Photo ID


Thanks to all who checked out the photo and offered opinions. (And thanks, too, for the compliments on my photo. :) This bird is mentioned in Sibley's "Guide To Birds" on page 529, along with this description: "Occasional; most frequent in the Southwest. Yellow variant is extremely rare in Purple and Cassin's."

I wonder, if it is considered "occasional" in the Southwest, does that make it "rare" in the Northwest? In any case, I'm happy to say that I had this bird on my list of possibles, and even referenced it, and the page number in Sibley's to a couple of those who responded to me privately. I have to say, that's a real confidence-builder to a relatively novice birder like me!

Thanks again.

Linda Davey
Sammamish, WA
LDavey at aol.com