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Question
Hi Roger,
)
Hope you're doing well, it's been a while since I've had to engage your services. :-D
I was out walking in Waterbury, VT on Sunday afternoon when I snapped this photo. I thought when I saw the bird that it was just a sparrow, but when I processed the photo I was surprised to see the red head. I've been through my field guides but can't seem to find a match under sparrows or finches, and my daughter asked if it might be a juvenile cardinal so I figured I'd turn to the expert.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
best,
Bill
Hi Bill. It's a male House Finch. The redness of the head and body vary according to the food they ate - red berries give them that color.
I don't know where Waterbury is, but I'm heading up to Middlebury in a couple of weeks for my wife's college reunion.
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thanks Roger. Waterbury is exit 10 on I-89, it's about an hour or so from Middlebury. Hope you have a good time! Bill | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Roger Lederer
Expertise
Any and all about WILD birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.
Experience
Have a PhD and over forty years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, three bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 90 countries watching birds.
Education/Credentials
PhD in Zoology/Ornithology; Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences; former Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico
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