Nature Reflections December 2, 2004
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GrosbeaksMost people in Eastern Ontario who put out bird feeders during the winter are very familiar with the Evening Grosbeaks - the Greedies - who descend on a feeder in a flock, and noisily consume a large quantity of sunflower seeds. The males in their yellow and black plumage and the females in their subdued colouring can be around in some winters in large numbers, and in others we rarely see them, when their nomadic wanderings take them to other areas where food is abundant.
But how many are familiar with their cousins - the Pine Grosbeaks? On November 18 I was delighted to hear the soft, short whistle of a feeding bird. I finally found him on the top of a tall pine busily seeking the seeds from a pinecone. This melodious whistle is apparently an invitation or conversation to its friends - is it saying Come and see what I have found? The bird I saw eventually flew off alone.
Like the Evening Grosbeaks, the Pine Grosbeaks may be absent from an area one winter and around the next, though usually not in large numbers. Males are distinctive in their rose-red plumage, but in winter it is more common to see the dull yellow of the females or the immature males slightly rustier in colour than the females. Watch for them where they can find pine seeds, maple buds, crab apples, mountain ash fruit, or as Steve Blight saw them on November 21 in an ash tree devouring the ash keys. Steve saw three birds a couple of kilometres down the road from my place, probably all immatures - had the one I seen three days previously called in the other two?
Unlike the contentious Evening Grosbeaks, which can be aggressive towards other birds, the Pine Grosbeaks have a gentle, tolerant disposition, and will leave feeders to their cousins if they are there. Surprisingly tame, they may be approached quite closely before flying off with an undulating roller-coaster flight and their soft, sweet whistles.
Having nested in the coniferous forests last summer, probably along the edge or borders of forest openings, and somewhere near water, they only come south when food sources are scarce and they are forced to look elsewhere. Even then they still prefer open coniferous forests or cedars where there is shelter. It has been reported that like other birds in winter they will bathe in soft snow, standing either on the ground or on thick coniferous foliage, fluttering their wings and throwing the soft snow over their feathers - a scene I would like to observe.
Observations: On November 21 besides the Pine Grosbeaks, Steve Blight observed a small flock of Common Redpolls - is this to be a winter of finches - Purple Finches, Crossbills, Grosbeaks and Siskins? I have a Red-breasted Nuthatch coming regularly, and on one occasion taking seeds from my daughters hand. Share your sightings - call Jean at 268-2518 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
