What types of birds over-winter where you live?

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the types of birds that over-winter in various locations, highlighting specific species such as chickadees, redpolls, nuthatches, woodpeckers, and bluejays. Participants share their experiences with bird feeders stocked with thistle seed, suet, and sunflower seeds, noting the presence of slate juncos and Canada geese. The conversation emphasizes the seasonal behavior of these birds, particularly in response to cold weather, and the impact of environmental conditions on their visibility and feeding patterns.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of bird species identification
  • Knowledge of bird feeding practices
  • Familiarity with winter bird behavior
  • Awareness of local wildlife and environmental conditions
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the feeding habits of winter finches, specifically redpolls and chickadees
  • Learn about the migratory patterns of slate juncos and Canada geese
  • Explore bird feeder types and their effectiveness for attracting specific species
  • Investigate the impact of weather on bird activity and feeding behavior
USEFUL FOR

Birdwatchers, wildlife enthusiasts, and anyone interested in understanding winter bird populations and feeding strategies.

turbo
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I have 3 different bird-feeders in front of my office window (thistle seed, suet, sunflower seed) so I get to watch a lot of different birds. Chickadees are plentiful, and the red-breasted and white-breasted nuthatches tend to flock with them. Our winter finches are redpolls, and they are well-represented. Then of course there are the downy and hairy woodpeckers and the bluejays. That's about it.

The slate juncos stayed late this year, but since the nights have gotten so cold, they have been MIA. Perhaps they moved down Astronuc's way to avoid the bitter cold.

This line-up is probably what we will have for the rest of the winter until things start warming up again. What birds do you have?
 
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Pigeons
 
Doves, cardinals and junkos.
 
When I was doing consulting work for a mill in western KY in winter, I was pleasantly surprised to see all the cardinals. Of course, the blackbirds/starlings blackened the sky - impressive, but not that pretty.
 
nsaspook said:
Canada geese, pretty from the air but they really make a mess on the ground.
No kidding. When I was working for General Physics, I occasionally made winter visits to the home office in Columbia, MD. There was a pond near the office, and the Canada geese had the lawns so fouled up that you wouldn't dare to try to walk down there - and heaven help you if you fell down!
 
Got a new individual today. His breast is so brightly colored that I had to put on my glasses and get a better look to make sure it wasn't a purple finch. Nope. Just a redpoll, but a bright one. If I had seen him initially with other redpolls or maybe chickadees, I would have known he wasn't a purple finch (a bit too small).
 
White winged doves are the ones that I notice. In summer, there are so many that people consider them pests. In winter, there are only a bearable number in my yard.
 
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turbo said:
I have 3 different bird-feeders in front of my office window (thistle seed, suet, sunflower seed) so I get to watch a lot of different birds. Chickadees are plentiful, and the red-breasted and white-breasted nuthatches tend to flock with them. Our winter finches are redpolls, and they are well-represented. Then of course there are the downy and hairy woodpeckers and the bluejays. That's about it.

The slate juncos stayed late this year, but since the nights have gotten so cold, they have been MIA. Perhaps they moved down Astronuc's way to avoid the bitter cold.

This line-up is probably what we will have for the rest of the winter until things start warming up again. What birds do you have?
We have the same birds. Juncos are here.

We have geese and various gulls, various hawks and owls.

The other day, we had several pairs of eastern bluebirds in the backyard, which was a surprise.

And we have various woodpeckers: Redbelly, downy and hairy.
 
  • #11
Those little pigs have eaten 1/2 gallon of black-oil sunflower seeds since noon. We have freezing rain and drizzle, and there hasn't been a single redpoll at the feeders all day, so it's all chickadees eating those seeds.
 

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