FINCHforum

Hey guys, I know I've been away for months and months and I'm sure there are lots of new posters I have yet to meet, but I thought I would ask you all what you think this guy is:



He isn't mine, but might be soon. Someone on Craigslist is giving him away and I got in contact with them today (now just awaiting a reply). According to their post, he had a mate who passed away 6 years ago, and he started molting pretty much constantly shortly after, only sometimes growing back head feathers (thus the somewhat odd-looking head!). Evidently he's still active and sings...and they make no mention of what species he is, the post just says "male finch."

So! What do you think? I was guessing a weaver of some sort, though it's difficult to see the bill, other than that it's pale. I'm very curious to see what you think he might be.

I believe he's an orange bishop weaver. He looks like he has a black face and black chest. Seems like the right coloration to me.

That does seem a likely choice, I think I was thrown off by how yellow-orange his brighter plumage is, since most of the pictures of orange bishops I've seen are very reddish-orange. I'll be very interested to see if his owner gets back to me, and if they in fact know what he is (I'm thinking you're correct :3 ).

There are 3 color formes of the "orange" weaver. A yellow golden. a vibrant red and a crimson re color.
This one looks to be a napolean waever
http://www.petcaregt.com/birdcare/napoleonweaver.html

The orange or red Bishop weaver comes in varying shades of red/orange
http://images.google.com/images?q=Red+B ... CBgQsAQwAA

They all are sexual dimorphic., meaning the males have bright breeding colors and out of season they moult out and look just like the bland females. This bird looks to either be comong into his nuptial plumage or going out...

Ahhh, thank you! I hadn't been aware of the different color forms. I imagine this guys looks pretty mottled a lot of the time, if it's true that he's been molting nearly year-round since his mate died. Poor bird.