Bird ID???

[wannafish2]

Hey all,

I had a visitor over the last week that didn't catch my eye right away...but now I am looking for some ID help.

This bird has typical brown and white finch/sparrow like markings with brown/grey and white striping on the head similar to a Cassin's female or female House finch but more defined. It looked at first like a female Cassin's on serious steroids. Size wise it is smaller than a robin but larger than a common sparrow....so much larger than the several dozens of finches I see every day.....what the heck?

Online searches brought me to a AUSTRALASIAN PIPIT as the closest pic of what this bird looks like. The typical Pipit pictures that migrate through MN wasn't close...this bird has a rounded/pronounced belly like a fat finch.

Any of you birders out there have any suggestions?

It was seen in the Detroit Lakes/Moorhead area of Minnesota.

[Steve Foss]

Check out a female purple finch. They have the same basic pattern as the female house and Cassin's finches, but it's sharper and more contrasty. Sounds like that's what you've got based on your description.

[JayinMN]

A female rose-breasted grosbeak may be another possibility.

[spivak]

I'd look at the female rose breasted grosbeak as well. Every year, when they show up at the feeder, I think I'm seeing a giant female purple finch until the old grey cells of memory kick in.

[Steve Foss]

Oh yeah, forgot about that one. Good catch!

[wannafish2]

YAY! it IS a female Rose breasted Grosbeak....Thank you oh wise birders!

Now, another quandry....I have several dozen goldfinches visiting my feeders, male and female...pretty simple to tell the difference. HOWEVER, has anyone seen a goldfinch with typical female coloration, but with a bright yellow patch on its head? Looks like the males black patch but it is on a female (dull yellow typical female coloration) and is bright yellow on the head....? again...huh? online searches have turned up nothing.....any ideas? thanks

[eyeguy 54]

This mama grosbeak is enjoying mothers day dinner in the rain.