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Female house finch or song sparrow?
Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2026 1:09 am
by MtnAg08
I'm guessing this is either a female house finch or song sparrow. It's a weird angle but looks like there is a black dot on the chest like in song sparrow. However, the feature of the head don't scream song sparrow to me. Saw today hiking in Beaver Creek, CO.
Re: Female house finch or song sparrow?
Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2026 2:20 am
by lonesome55dove
Red Crossbill. Note the crossed bill.
Re: Female house finch or song sparrow?
Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2026 2:33 am
by MtnAg08
Nice. I'd never seen or heard of that one before, it's new for me!
I did notice the bill looked funky but thought maybe it was just due to the angle or something else weird. Didn't know there was a species like that around here. Looking at pictures online it looks like the males are red (makes sense) and the females have a fair bit of yellow to them. I'm guessing this one must be immature?
Thanks for the help on a new ID!
Re: Female house finch or song sparrow?
Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2026 3:27 am
by lonesome55dove
MtnAg08 wrote: Sun Aug 02, 2026 2:33 am
Nice. I'd never seen or heard of that one before, it's new for me!
I did notice the bill looked funky but thought maybe it was just due to the angle or something else weird. Didn't know there was a species like that around here. Looking at pictures online it looks like the males are red (makes sense) and the females have a fair bit of yellow to them. I'm guessing this one must be immature?
Thanks for the help on a new ID!
Yes, I believe it is immature. I'm sorry, I should have mentioned that. You're welcome! Congrats on a new find!
Re: Female house finch or song sparrow?
Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2026 6:05 pm
by Hooded Robin
Agree with juvenile Red Crossbill (chunky bill and faint wing bars, not sure about range, eliminates White-winged Crossbill).