A very red and smallish looking bird. Note the bill shape and size,
color and patterns. Good luck!
Answer will be displayed on December 1.
Answer:
This bird’s size is quite small, with a short conical bill, so it is
either a sparrow, or a finch. There are very few red-faced sparrows in
California, except a possible Fox Sparrow. This bird has a pale belly,
so it is not a Fox Sparrow or any type of sparrow. So, it must be a
finch. There are 3 red finches: Purple, Cassin’s, and House Finch. A
Cassin’s Finch’s face doesn’t have red that goes down as far as this
bird. So now, it is either a Purple or House Finch. A House Finch has
streaks on the chest, which this bird doesn’t have. Therefore, this is
a Purple Finch.
Congratulations to Thomas L and Lily for figuring out Purple Finch!
