Re: Birds in the mountains

From: Tom & Jo Heindel
Date: 6/8/99
Time: 4:23:21 PM
Remote Name: 209.221.218.206

Comments

Sounds like a great hike! Regarding Purple Finches: they are vagrants in Inyo County even though they are common on the west slope of the Sierra. Cassin's Finches are fairly common breeders on the east slope and some winters can be found at feeders in the valley. Purple Finches look superficially like Cassin's but attention must be paid to the nape color, bill shape, streaking (or not) on the undertail coverts, and distinctiveness of streaking on the sides of the body. If one is familiar with their vocalizations they are easily separable on voice.