Momma and Daddy Fiches (pic)

[Dachia]

Here is a picture I got this morning of the two. Momma is preparing her nest!

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p256/dmscuba2/Birds/MomaandDaddyFinch2_800x600.jpg

[turtleman]

Great picture of the House Finch family. I remember when House Finches were absent in Dallas County, maybe 15(?) years ago. We were in the "dead zone" for some reason in House Finch emigration from the East Coast. They were north of us in Oklahoma and south of us in Austin.

Many years ago Cornell University requested backyard bird watchers report any incidence of the House Finch eye disease (conjunctivitis) for which they were doing a study. I saw and reported a male House Finch in Farmers Branch soon after with a crusted over eye as described. Later I saw a U.S. map of incidences of this disease, but don't know what ever resulted from the study.

I noticed that the male in your picture has its left eye partially closed and wondered if it was a coincidental blink or if it was a manifestation of this disease. If it is a permanent condition for your bird I am enclosing a link which will give you an opportunity to submit this information to Cornell if you can observe this bird again.

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/hofi/

R.E. Grant

[Dachia]

Thanks R.E Grant! Thanks for the link. I will definately keep my eye on him. He likes perching on my hanging basket. He doesn't seem to mind me peeping out the window at him.