Here, in northern Prince George's county, my invasion started yesterday
afternoon with a single adult male Purple Finch. Today, the flock is up
to 5 -- 4 adult males and one in a female-type plumage but with enough
red on its back and rump that I'm tempted to call it a first year male.
These are the only purple finches I've seen in my yard in the 20 years
I have been here.
Is everyone else seeing predominately males? In my experience, during
the fall and winter, female-types usually far outnumber adult males so
the large number of males I'm seeing today is quite a surprise. I see
three possible explanations
1) coincidence.
2) males migrate earlier than females so most of the birds that showed
up in the last 24 hours are males
3) Most of the birds that come this far south are first-year males and
most have already molted into adult plumage.
Pyle implies 3) is wrong since males should retain their brown plumage
through their second summer. Any idea if 2) is correct?
David Mozurkewich
Seabrook, MD
On Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:33:54 -0400
"Carol Ghebelian" <ghebelian...> wrote:
> One male Purple Finch arrived this a.m. at Indian Head.
>
> Carol Ghebelian
> Indian Head, MD
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: <mdbirding...> [mailto:<mdbirding...>]
> On Behalf Of Laura Rinier
> Sent: Friday, April 12, 2013 8:25 AM
> To: <mdbirding...>
> Subject: [MDBirding] Re: PUFI Fallout
>
> I have 4 up in my neck of the woods as well. Just arrived this
> morning.
>
> Laura Rinier
> New Windsor, MD
>
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