03-11-2025, 09:33 PM
Some of our winter visitors include 3 Clark's Nutcrackers, and the first male Red-winged Blackbirds of the year showed up on March 1st. There are now about 40 Pine Siskins and Pine Grosbeaks coming daily.
Recently, a female Pine Grosbeak bumped a north window and sat stunned on the cold concrete. I moved behind and picked up the bird using the banders grip. I warmed it in my cupped hand with hot breath, and when she perked up she moved onto my index finger to perch. I slowly walked some 50 feet to where my camera was on the ground and moved her around to let the sun warm her back. Temp was 25F, so the sun was relief.
This beautiful girl remained on my hand for a half hour. Two other female Pine Grosbeaks landed briefly on my head to check on the situation. This lady was alert, watching and listening to other birds, Pine Siskins, various nuthatches, Steller's Jays and Clark's Nutcrackers.
Pine Grosbeaks are high altitude spruce-fir forest birds that infrequently encounter people, thus they are relatively tame and curious. They are the largest North American finch, and their range is circumpolar We can sometimes walk by within two or three feet, and they keep feeding on sunflower. With patience, we might hand feed them. They are one of my favorite birds because of their tame nature and their cheerful "Chur-Leep" call! Currently, we see about 30 Pine Grosbeaks feeding around the cabin every day.
The bird was fully alert, watching and listening to all that was happening. She was comfortable knowing that my hand was safe and that she was free to go. It was so much fun, but my arm was tiring and I told her that I had to leave to go bowling. With that, she flew off into an Engelmann Spruce and began calling, Chur-Leep! Chur-Leep!
Tomorrow evening, I'll give a talk on Hummingbirds of the Western U.S. for the
Montclair Bird Club, NJ. Come join us if you will.
Zoom Meeting Wednesday, March 12, 7:30 – 9:30pm Eastern Time
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8447...MeHmVF8MA3OlrHrG6y.1
Recently, a female Pine Grosbeak bumped a north window and sat stunned on the cold concrete. I moved behind and picked up the bird using the banders grip. I warmed it in my cupped hand with hot breath, and when she perked up she moved onto my index finger to perch. I slowly walked some 50 feet to where my camera was on the ground and moved her around to let the sun warm her back. Temp was 25F, so the sun was relief.
This beautiful girl remained on my hand for a half hour. Two other female Pine Grosbeaks landed briefly on my head to check on the situation. This lady was alert, watching and listening to other birds, Pine Siskins, various nuthatches, Steller's Jays and Clark's Nutcrackers.
Pine Grosbeaks are high altitude spruce-fir forest birds that infrequently encounter people, thus they are relatively tame and curious. They are the largest North American finch, and their range is circumpolar We can sometimes walk by within two or three feet, and they keep feeding on sunflower. With patience, we might hand feed them. They are one of my favorite birds because of their tame nature and their cheerful "Chur-Leep" call! Currently, we see about 30 Pine Grosbeaks feeding around the cabin every day.
The bird was fully alert, watching and listening to all that was happening. She was comfortable knowing that my hand was safe and that she was free to go. It was so much fun, but my arm was tiring and I told her that I had to leave to go bowling. With that, she flew off into an Engelmann Spruce and began calling, Chur-Leep! Chur-Leep!
Tomorrow evening, I'll give a talk on Hummingbirds of the Western U.S. for the
Montclair Bird Club, NJ. Come join us if you will.
Zoom Meeting Wednesday, March 12, 7:30 – 9:30pm Eastern Time
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8447...MeHmVF8MA3OlrHrG6y.1