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!
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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