Friday, November 16, 2012

Pine Grosbeaks - Irruption

This is an "irruptive" year for winter finches. There is a "winter finch forecast" that predicts if normally northern birds will move south to find food because of shortages of fruits and seeds in their usual wintering area. Read more about it here: winter finch forecast

Pine Grosbeaks are one of the largest members of the finch family. The males are rosy-red, while the females are yellow. First-season immature birds are hard to distinguish as both males and females are similar in coloration.

It was five years ago that I saw them here in southeastern Vermont.

This flock had at least twelve female and immature grosbeaks consuming crabapples.

They are relatively "tame", which is nice when you're trying to get pictures!




1 comment:

  1. evening grosbeaks have just irrupted in a nice juicy flock in southern ontario near southern georgian bay. we usually see pine grosbeaks and redpolls as well during irruptive years.

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