I went to Hall Ranch this morning to check out the possible Purple Finches reported by Bryan Guarente yesterday. I didn't find any Purple Finches, but I did find and photograph a male and female/1st year Cassin's Finch. Why weren't they Purple Finches? The female/1st year had a white supercillium and white submoustachial stripe which could be good for either Purple or Cassin's. The male had a white submoustachial stripe which is not good for Purple. Both birds had perfectly straight culmens, which doesn't work for Purple, and had distinct eye rings which is not good for Purple. Cassin's Finches have been scarce in Boulder County this winter and were missed on the Boulder CBC this year, although they are often found at my house. David Waltman
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