Environment
Feathered Friends Find Feeder
December 28, 2021 
The snow has covered the ground and made home bird feeders a popular stop for our feathered friends. For those who think the GUARDIAN is “for the birds,” you are correct. We enjoy watching the gold finches flock to the thistle feeder as well as the multitude of other small birds who visit the wild seed feeder. UPDATE–Some “GUARDIAN BIRDERS” have identified the birds as PINE SISKINS among several visiting species.
The added treat is making pictures through the kitchen window. We have Anna’s Hummingbirds visiting two small feeders heated with small light bulbs. Never realized they winter in Boise until last year. Sorry no pictures yet, but we are happy to share those below.
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Comments & Discussion
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Dec 28, 2021, 3:55 pm
Nice pics! I think those are pine siskin. We’re seeking them too along with the usual finches, chickadees and juncos.
EDITOR NOTE–There is a junco in one of the images. This is fun…my sister identifies the finches as CASSIN’S finch. We also get the rose/red house finches, but they tend to eat the wildbird seed rather than the thistle. We have a resident flock of GOLD finches and they seem to change plumage a bit in winter. We will no doubt hear from other birders. 🙂 Thanks.
Dec 29, 2021, 10:14 am
Nice Touch David. Best wishes in the coming year.
Dec 29, 2021, 10:23 am
Agree. Siskins, note pointy beak. Male Cassin’s will also show red/rose (not much in winter), but will have a wedge, finch bill.
Dec 29, 2021, 11:59 am
We have 3 bird feeders. One for the gold finches filled with thistle seed. Another one for the chickadees with a chickadee blend I found at D & B. Then another one with a homemade ~ 50/50 blend of sunflower hearts and a generic finch blend. We have the exact same yellow finch feeder as shown in the picture. Have been amazed at the popularity of the chickadee blend for many species besides chickadees.
In addition to the bird feeders, when it gets very cold be sure to add a defroster to your bird bath. Am amazed at the birds taking a bath in the cold.
Enjoy!
EDITOR NOTE–More good advice. We have ANNA’S HUMMERS visiting and we have heaters under the nectar (night light sized bulbs). The wild seed comes from the annual Idaho F&G sale/fund raiser.
Dec 29, 2021, 1:27 pm
Appearance vs. Reality…
Representative of so much else we discuss? Look closely at these birds… Beautiful yet nasty to one another even with an enormous food supply. Same little brain as the dinosaurs.
PS: Remember to have water available if you feed. In bitter cold they have a very short endurance without both food and moisture. In years past the super smart biology people said to stop the feeding as the feeders were spreading bird pathogens. No masks on those birds either.
Happy New Year!
EDITOR NOTE–Good advice which we follow.