canberrabirds

ID request re. small finch-like bird

To: 'COG List' <>
Subject: ID request re. small finch-like bird
From: Steve Read <>
Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2017 04:32:50 +0000

Thanks to all for suggestions. Consensus was an escapee juvenile finch from a nearby aviary (apparently there is one). Some form of Star Finch was mentioned as possible, as well as other possible species.

 

Steve

 

From: Steve Read
Sent: Saturday, 25 February, 2017 5:40 PM
To: 'Canberra Birds'
Subject: [canberrabirds] ID request re. small finch-like bird

 

This is one of the identification questions where a photograph (a record shot) would help…

 

Single, small (sparrow-sized), grey-brown bird in a planted casuarina next to Fassifern Pond, Dunlop, this morning. Grey-brown above, mid-grey underneath, unstreaked (no patterning), with a ‘suede’ brown head, black eye and short, stubby black bill resembling the bill on a finch. The only specific feature was a fine pale yellow line running the short distance from behind the bill to the eye (would that be the gape?). Reasonable sighting (2-3 minutes, through foliage, in partial, shade, from below) before it flew across to a neighbouring garden – flight was bouncy, with no obvious colour to the wings or rump. Juvenile Red-browed Finch crossed my mind, but I’m familiar with those and I don’t believe that’s what it was.

 

Any ideas? What have I missed? Do I put it down as an escapee finch, juvenile from dark bill?

 

Steve

 

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