Pine Grosbeaks!

We made a trip to Northern Ontario to find a rare Woodpecker, (more on that in a future post) and made a few stops along the way. During our first morning near Sudbury, we encountered a small flock of Pine Grosbeaks in a residential neighbourhood! This is the first time I have seen an adult male! Pine Grosbeaks are large, plump, heavy-chested finches with rounded heads. The bill is thick and conical.  

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pine_Grosbeak/id

Pine Grosbeaks frequently visit birdfeeders. While we stood on the street, staring at the birds who were backlit by the sun, the homeowners came outside and invited us to take pictures in their backyard!!! Such a treat!! Black-oiled sunflower seeds and hulled sunflower seeds are some of their favourite foods!

Females and immature birds are grayish with tints of reddish orange or yellow on the head and rump. They all have dark gray wings marked by 2 white wing-bars.  https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pine_Grosbeak/id

In all, we saw 17 Pine Grosbeaks during our 4 day trip!