A "Snowy Day" post from Amy Winnicki yesterday, where she reported a
House Finch with white wing bars, made me sit up and take notice.

On Dec. 17, 2007, I noted a bird at my feeders at work that was hanging
out with the House Finches and goldfinches.  It has two strong white
wing bars, and although I never saw its head to confirm the crossed
bill, I recorded it as a White-winged Crossbill.

I have always doubted that ID, given my office's urban location, but
couldn't figure out what else it could be.  Based on Amy's observation,
I was about to retract that species from my Life List when what should I
see this morning at my backyard feeder but a male House Finch with two
strong white wing bars!

Thanks, Amy, for your note, and for letting me know I'm not the only one
with "White-winged House Finches."  (Of course, it means I have one less
bird on my list, but that's not your fault!)

I assume this is a form of leucism, but I find it odd that the wing bars
are so uniform.  Could any of our experts comment on the prevalence of
white marks on HOFI?

Thanks,

Kathi Hutton
Felicity, Clermont County
http://katdocsworld.blogspot.com/

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