The July ID Challenge contest has come to a close and we have a winner! Larry Jordan of The Birder’s Report has won $10 for his charity, Shasta Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, Inc. Congrats, Larry! The next ID Challenge contest will be posted on or about August 1 and will run for about three weeks. We usually have 2-4 contestants, so your chances of winning a donation for your charity are very good!

Winning Charity, July 2009

And now, for the answers:

Picture 1 | Plano, TX | House Finch, female

Picture 1 is a female House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus). The females are not as showy as the males, but their thick beaks and boldly streaked breast and belly are the features I look for.

House Finch, male

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I have also seen the yellow form of the male House Finch – once. In fact, I didn’t know this was a yellow House Finch until I was able to study the picture.

House Finch, male, yellow form

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Picture 2 | Jasper, AR | Emerald Flower Scarab

Picture 2 features a bright green beetle called Emerald Flower Scarab (Trichiotinus lunulatus), crawling on Queen Anne’s Lace.

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Picture 3 | Jasper, AR | Dewberry

Picture 3 is a species of the native plant, Dewberry (Rubus sp.) This plant often has small thorns and is a wildlife star. Dewberry provides cover, nectar (while in flower), and summertime berries for birds, animals and people.

That’ll do it for this month’s contest. Be sure to check back for the August edition, and remember – you can see the official contest rules as well as a history of the winners on the ID Challenge! page.