sturgeon_virgin's Identifications

MALE. Link to female Cassin’s Finch: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/229147609

Cassin's Finch (Haemorhous cassinii) Native perching bird in the Finches, Euphonias (Fringillidae) family that is found in the mountains and conifer forests of the West, above 5000ft.
"It is sometimes found at very high elevations, in the scrubby forest just below treeline, especially in late summer. At other times, little roving flocks wander through the woods, often feeding on buds and seeds high in the trees. The complicated song of the male often includes brief imitations of other birds.
Description: 6-6 1/2" (15-17 cm). Very similar to Purple Finch (which is absent from many areas of the west). Cassin's is slightly larger, with slightly longer bill. Note dark streaks on white undertail coverts. Male has sharply defined red cap, paler pink chest. Female has plainer face, sharper streaks below than female Purple; often shows pale eye-ring. Compare also to House Finch, usually at lower elevations."

Audubon Guide to North American Birds: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/cassins-finch

The Cornell Lab: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Cassins_Finch/

Xeno-canto: Bird songs, sound recordings, bird range and migration map: https://xeno-canto.org/species/Haemorhous-cassinii

"Males have red concentrated on crown (brighter than throat) with pinkish wash coming into breast; flanks are pale with only a few fine streaks. Females are similar to Purple Finch but with more diffuse face pattern and finer streaks on flanks. Both sexes tend to show more peaked head and longer bill than House and Purple Finch. Found in mountainous regions, mainly in coniferous forests, drifting to lower elevations in winter. Visits feeders."
Ebird with species description, range map and sound recordings: https://ebird.org/species/casfin

Law's Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada, John Muir Laws, California Academy of Sciences, 2007, p. 270

COMPARE to confirmed House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) observation: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/164873861

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BIRDS (Annotated References)

The Cornell Lab (Birds in U.S. and Canada, includes Compare with Similiar Species) https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/

Xeno-canto: Bird songs, sound recordings, bird range and migration map: https://xeno-canto.org/about/xeno-canto

Audubon Guide to North American Birds: https://www.audubon.org/bird-guide

Ebird with species description, range map and sound recordings: https://ebird.org/explore

Law's Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada, John Muir Laws, California Academy of Sciences, 2007

National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, ed. Jon L. Dunn, 7th ed., 2017

National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of Western North America, ed. Jon L. Dunn, 2008

Monterey Birds, Don Roberson, 2nd ed. 2002, sponsored by Monterey Peninsula Audubon Society

Merlin Bird ID: How to use/get the portable App (Bird ID help for 8,500+ species) https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/

Comprehensive Feather I.D. tools and more: https://foundfeathers.org/resources/

Found Feathers (Worldwide): https://www.fws.gov/lab/featheratlas/idtool.php