Hi all,

I have had a male and female adult purple finch at the feeders regularly
this last week.  One bird initially I thought was a small maybe juvenile
rose-breasted grosbeak but with yellow along breast, head and tail.  David
Allen Sibley in a recent blog post discussed a potentially hormonally
intermediate Purple Finch very similar to the one I have, perhaps a health
issue with vs. something else.  Yesterday I noted a very orange Purple
Finch male.  Not sure how common this is (not in any guide books I have),
David Sibley's post mentioned this can be much more common in House
Finches, but wanted to share and maybe get more information from any here
that may know more about the why's.  The pictures can be seen on my last
blog post here:  http://www.natureobservances.com/odd-purple-finch/ .   In
it is linked David Sibley's blog post as well.  I would love to learn more
or if there is an article with more information.  Thanks.

Dan Huber