Identify Female House Finch vs Pine Siskin

House Finch

House Finch - Adult Female

• Larger and stockier than Pine Siskin
• Thicker, conical bill
• No wing bars
• No yellow coloration on wings or tail

Pine Siskin Adult

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•  Pine Siskin - Adult
• Small, streaky finch
• Brown streaks darkest and most dense on breast
• Very slender, sharply-pointed bill
• Bright yellow on folded wings

Owl Web Cams - Starr Ranch Orange County, Ca.

   Click here>>>Barn Owl Web Cams


The owls are especially busy eating from dusk to dawn. The parents bring them rodents to eat. See nature at some of its best.

11/9/2014 Follow-up note, The owlettes have fledged their tree nesting cavity for some time now. There is occasional activity, but the little ones are gone.

California Drought - Water Wise Responsible

Conservation-

Water rationing is in the first stage alert for the Yorba Linda Water District Service Areas. 
In an effort to reserve water, I'm limiting the water intake to many of our backyard bird habitat yard plants. The plants are alive, however, it's looking somewhat brown and dry around here and not its best, but the plants are alive for the birds to have cover. Once the drought is over, (Did I hear this is the first couple years of a 12 year drought?) I'll increase the water a bit or plant back what doesn't make it. At this time, we'll keep only the bird bath full of water, a couple hummingbird feeders and some mealworms for the bluebirds.  These triple digit heat days aren't helping either.  UGH!  

Perhaps it's time to look at converting to a Xeriscape for the birds.  For us, I'm liking this idea more and more.

Follow-up to June 13th Post

I'm happy to report that all five eggs hatched that day from the June 13th post earlier this year. The five teenage birds are healthy and happy returning for mealworms and water now and then.