I think those are House Finches, Gil. Purple Finches are very red all over including the underside and the back just above the tails and a red wash throughout all the wing streaks. I've read them described as 'the whole bird looks like its been dipped in raspberry juice'. I have 3 males and several females at the moment in my yard and am hoping they stay around. Konrad, I'm fairly certain yours is also a House Finch as well. I find they vary greatly in the amount of red or orange present on the head, neck and breast. I have had a very special visitor the last couple of days - a European Goldfinch. I managed to get some poor quality photos today, mostly so I could ask the experts for ID which I got today. Gonna be trying to get a better photo, but in the meantime, this is what it looks like. Here is a link that might be useful: Photo of European Goldfinch

Well somebody's been extremely busy! I now have a nest on the outside light! Just a few pieces of what looked like straw yesterday, today a full nest. I am a little surprised that they went ahead and made the nest there, hopefully I can get some pictures when I get eggs! If I'm lucky, I can get pictures of the birds and you guys can positively ID them for me! I'm excited...lol... Fairy, I've heard robins use the same nest year after year if not removed. Did they come back? Oh and hey dirtgirl...put your link down here where you reply in the spot where it says Optional Link URL: then just give it whatever name you'd like below. Easy. Terry Here is a link that might be useful: dirtgirls fav bird link

I'm enjoying so many American gold finches, pine siskins, red polls, house finches, purple finches, warblers, occasional blue jays, woodpeckers, red- and white-breasted nuthatches, and various "visitors" this winter. I feed both black oil sunflower seed and nyjer seed, but in separate feeders. The nyjer is in an "upside down" finch feeder, only the American gold finches can get the seed out, and then only one seed at a time. I certainly cuts down on the waste and the feeder hogs. The other thistle lovers can pick up the dropped seeds from the ground. I offer black oil sunflower seeds in several types of feeders according to the species I'm feeding. It's the favorite seed of nearly all the birds, but certain birds prefer certain types of feeders. I have a large hopper feeder for BOSS, and a smaller one for peanuts (for the chickadee-dee-dees and nuthatches). I also offer BOSS in a tray feeder during the coldest months, and in a mesh feeder that the woodpeckers like. Besides the BOSS, nyjer, and a few shelled peanuts, I offer suet in four different feeders. Woodpeckers don't like to "share" and I found out by setting out more feeders I have many happy woodpeckers.

This has been my best bird day, ever! Not long after posting this, several Northern Orioles flew in too. "The Gang's All Here!" and they're certainly making my feeder tree and post very colorful. Linda OHnowGA ~ Do you use the "upside down" finch/nyjer feeder? It restricts the seed so only the goldfinches can get to it? That has helped keep some of my costs down. Of course, the Pine Warblers here can eat upside down, too, so they "share." And the doves are always on the ground to pick up the leftovers. Ont Gal ~ There has been a rumor that there have been nesting cardinals in Grand Forks for the past two-three years. I haven't seen them yet, but I keep hoping. Lynn D ~ I've never seen an Indigo Bunting "in person," but I certainly hope to. They have got to be magical. RTHummer ~ f you send me a pair of cardinals, I'll send you a pair of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks! How's that for a deal? Bird on, ladies; Bird on!!!