[Birdtalk] re: the mystery red bird

[Tim Avery]

No one mentioned the possibility of an escaped cage-bird, like an Orange
Bishop:

http://www.gon2foto.com/gallery/albums/Birds/orange_bishop16p.sized.jpg

Using habitat on a bird this time of year can bee a bit ubiquitous.  Finches
wander this time of year, so seeing one along a river, in willows, may seem
odd, but hard to dismiss.  I would think a messed up Scarlet Tanager that
retained breeding plumage into winter would be a more likely species, albeit
still rare.  Vermilion Flycatcher have been see pretty far up the Colorado
and I believe on the Green River in eastern Utah, plus scattered reports
else where across the state, and they typically are around Washington County
in the winter (again rare, but there).

Noting the behavior of a bird that you are unsure of the ID can also be
helpful, as finches tend to act quite different from flycatchers, and
tanagers as well.

Good Birding

Tim
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