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Posted by Ted & Barb Center on 08:26:30 08/28/13
We found an unusual bird at Evergreen Cemetery in Fort Lauderdale yesterday and need help with the identification. The size and large heavy bill made us think grosbeak but the combination of the golden unstreaked breast and bold streaking on the belly and flanks didn't fit any possibilities. The demarcation between the gold coloration and the streaking was very distinct. An immature male rose-breasted grosbeak could have an orangish breast, but not the heavy streaking apparent on this bird. At one point, we considered Western Spindalis because of the golden-colored breast and rump, but the streaking also eliminated it, plus we would have noticed the bold facial pattern on a male spindalis. The tail was clearly notched or forked. The only possibility we were left with was a yellow variant house finch, but it seemed larger, the bill seemed too large, and colors too bright. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. The bird was very high up in the tops of casuarina trees and backlit, but we did manage to get some decent images (which are greatly enlarged)and posted on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/96568982@N06/sets/72157635266292489/
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