The Cornell Lab Bird Academy › Discussion Groups › Art and Photography › Finches, Grosbeaks, & Crossbills – Art and Photography
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I have heard that Red Crossbills are rare feeder birds, but I have a flock that comes whenever there is snow. The flock has been coming since late January. Once one of them even landed on my head, and since then you can just walk up to them and sit down and they'll keep eating. They seem very fond of Black Oil Sunflower Seeds. Feel free to post anything on the topic of finches, grosbeaks, and crossbills.You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
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Wow, that's great! I know we have crossbills up in the nearby mountains but haven't seen any yet. In my yard I get House finches and Lesser goldfinches year round. American goldfinch in the winter till they get their beautiful colors then they leave. I've always put out sunflower seeds but it was attracting too many House sparrows so I switched to nyjer seed and next thing I have goldfinches galore! I now keep both seeds available and the house sparrows rarely come around because the finches dominate. In spring I start to put out grape jelly till the end of summer, mainly for the Bullock's orioles but the finches love it too. Right now the second round of House finch fledglings are around. They are so cute but constantly emptying my feeders. I also have a couple hummingbird feeders.
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Here in southwestern Montana the Lesser Goldfinches are very rare, though I have observed a migrating male at the feeders and baths in October 2023. We have flocks of up to 20 American Goldfinches at a time in winter though they also leave when they get there breeding plumage, and then start coming again in late July or Early August, though at sunflowers, not feeders. I don't discourage any birds and let House Sparrow, Collared Doves, Grackle, and Starlings come at their own free will. We've had the House Finches nest as well, though they only had their first brood at our feeders. Here is a clip of the molting male goldfinch.
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