Goldfinch

[Nyboy]

I was just lucky enough to spend a few moments watching a male goldfinch fly around the garden. Is there a native bird prettier?

 

[digitS']

I'd like to say,

there may not be, Nyboy!

I have no experience with cardinals and now miss the western tanager since, I guess, I'm too close to civilization. Also, Thistle' tells me she sees mountain bluebirds but I've missed them the last several years. (Still enjoy both the western & eastern bluebirds, however!)

The stellar jays are beautiful but have bad habits . . .

We have orioles along the river and they sure aren't ugly .

Steve

 

[Chickie'sMomaInNH]

last winter was the first time i found out we have native bluebirds that visit our backyard. they were ransacking the sumac buds every day. they aren't the bright, beautiful blue i was expecting when i looked them up, but they were interesting. i prefer my pretty red male cardinal that flits back and forth between my yard and a neighbor's cherry tree. and then there's the woodpecker that may not be seen anymore since we took down the rotting maple tree.

 

[lesa]

Nyboy- I love goldfinch! They are at my feeders all the time. They get a dirty, dull color in the winter. When I see them, starting to get their beautiful, bright feathers- I know spring cannot be far off! Enjoy!

 

[bj taylor]

I've been enjoying martins so much the last few days. I can never get them to nest in my martin houses. I don't know where these are coming from. they soar so high & have that wonderful chatter. they're my favorite for the moment

 

[digitS']

Today, in my garden I saw . . .



A western wood pee-wee, &

an eastern kingbird . . .

Okay, okay! They aren't beautiful birds, either one .

Steve
just braggin'.

 

[so lucky]

I know my SIL who lives in Eugene loves cardinals, but says there are none out there. Are they just not west of the Rockies?
The Eastern Bluebirds we have here are vibrant blue on their backs, but to my oldish eyes they look black in the bright sun. I would have a difficult time coming up with a favorite bird. I love them all except English sparrows, cow birds and starlings.

 

[NwMtGardener]

Nope, not many cardinals out here...in the southwest they have the um, pyroluxia (i cant remember how that is spelled), its like a splotchy cardinal!

I have to agree with steve, western tanager is right up there on the top of my list!! Just saw a pair 2 weekends ago foraging in some pines at a high elevation, so cool to see this tropical looking bird up in the mountains with snow covered peaks all around!!

 

[digitS']

So Lucky,

Allaboutbirds.org (great site!) has a cardinal range map that shows no cardinals in western South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and points west.

Maybe DesertLady sees them in Arizona but it doesn't look like they get into California from there .

Steve

 

[bj taylor]

been seeing a Mississippi kite lately. they're a small raptor. very beautiful on the wing
I've been running sprinklers today. the birds come out and play in the water.