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From: annmh@blake.acs.washington.edu (Ann Harrington)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Finch identification
Message-ID: <5896@blake.acs.washington.edu>
Date: 23 Feb 90 17:09:16 GMT
Reply-To: annmh@blake.acs.washington.edu (Ann Harrington)
Distribution: usa
Organization: University of Washington, Seattle
Lines: 20


Dear fellow birdwatchers,

My birdfeeder attracts a lot of finches of the Purple/Cassin's/House
variety.  What I'd like to know is, does anyone have any clues as
to how to tell these three varieties apart?

Some of these finches are definitely House Finches, some are pretty
obviously Purple (sometimes they appear together, sometimes in 
separate bunches), but there are an awful lot that seem to have
characteristics of all three types.  Since all three are listed as
"common" in this area, range is no help....any suggestions?

BTW: Things I've already looked at: beak size, presence of head cap &
color of same, color/vividness of chest bib, underside barring, etc.
Help!  This is driving me nuts!

Thanks.
-Ann
annmh@blake.acs.washington.edu