This bird's beak was pale pink, which would not be inconsisssstent with juvenile siskin. I'm just sayin...
On Thursday, May 30, 2013 8:29:36 PM UTC-4, Don Simonson wrote:
> At 8:05 pm today 5/30/13, a small pale brown streaked finch landed six feet from me, on the ground, as I was refilling the sunflower and thistle feeders. It was clearly a Pine Siskin, a pale one, fine streaks all over, small finch beak. its beak was in fact considerably smaller and stubbier than the siskins which have Persisted daily here from october 2012 until May 23, 2013. it also had a disarranged appearance, with small tufts of feathers or down protruding from the flanks and back. It appeared smaller than typical siskins. After about 30 seconds, when it flushed, it flew about 10 feet into thick juniper and disappeared. Its tail was noticeably, EXTREMELY short. Like 1/3 to 1/2 the length of a typical (and they have short tails) siskin's tail. I saw it in flight for less than 10 seconds, looking down on it as it flew away from me. Stubby tail like a just-fledged wren or bluebird. Or MAYBE like a bird that lost its tail to a cat and the tail was growing back. The wings displayed strong yellow flashes. So did the tail.
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> The overall appearance was of a just-fledged bird. I saw the post about the siskin photographed in silver spring last week. So I'm not saying it was a young siskin. I'm just sayin'...
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> made a sketch. no scanner/camera. will post sketch in a few days.
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> Now i will go look in a bird book.
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> Good birding!
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> Don Simonson
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