Pine Siskin
(Spinus pinus)
Every winter my backyard bird feeders are covered with American Goldfinches and many winters produce numerous House Finches. But this year, for whatever reason(s), Pine Siskins are here by the dozens and dozens, all day, every day. In 30 years of backyard bird feeding, I don't recall as many siskins. No doubt there is a natural explanation for this. Most likely it is because of seed crop failure in the boreal woods. Their normal year-around range is an eastern and central band along the Canada/USA border. Their breeding range is further north, as far as the southern tip of James Bay. They are normally gregarious, but erratic in winter. Fond of salt, they can be found on road edges salted to melt snow.
Please comment if you wish.
BarrytheBirder
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