February 15, 2011

Pine Siskin: A Lifer!!










I am happy to add to my "lifer" list...Pine Siskin...I didn't know they were finches. They are the same size as the Goldfinches and House Finches. They have a stripey breast with the stripes being a light brown color. They have a yellow wing bar and some yellow on their tails. At first I mistook them as female House Finches until I got a closer look at their beak. Pine Siskins have a pointy beak and House Finches have a conical shape beak.

The Junco I have pictured is the prettiest colored Junco I have ever seen. It is the only one I have seen with that color of plumage. I wasn't sure if it was a Junco...is it a Junco??

HaPpY VaLeNtInE's DaY!! Everybody :-))

February 9, 2011

Wings on Wednesday



The backyard birds were quite abundant as we've just experienced another snowstorm. This system dumped about 10" of snow over night. It's cold but the sun is shining today. I think it's suppose to warm up toward the end of the week and the snow will gone. So, actually it's a novelty to have some (speaking as a person who grew up in South Dakota). We've had a variety of birds coming to feed: Harris's Sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, Northern Cardinals, American Goldfinches, Blue Jays, and a few House Sparrows. I haven't seen the White-crowned Sparrows yet today. We're really enjoying it and will enjoy it while it lasts!
Happy Wednesday!! Everyone :-))