looks like a Goldfinch or a close relation

Johnny D: "So next on the agenda, I need a guide book. What do you guys suggest?"

John I've got a brand new (better classified as unused) Peterson's guide and a rarely used Audubon, we can talk trade. I have 3 guides so will not miss one. I like Peterson over Audubon, I can show you both and you choose.

Good call Mike. Seems to be a female American Goldfinch. Picture from a state's DNR website:
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/eek/cr...nGoldFinch.jpg

Appreciate it Phil, but I got yelled at last night when I mentioned "I might pick up a field guide tomorrow to be able to figure out what I'm looking at."

Apparently I ruined a Christmas gift from one of the grandmothers. :smash: Never did well with the whole "don't buy anything for yourself during December". I'll drop a couple hints on the Peterson's guide.

Thanks for the suggestions from you and striperman36.

Goldfinches are deceiving because they always change color

the females turn olive colored in the spring to be better
camouflaged when nesting

the males loose some gold ......... then regain it....

Johnny, the best bird book out there is Sibley's Guide to Birds.

Anyone else interest in birding field guides? I'm willing to barter......

i like all those GUIDES

but the best book on north eastern song and Garden birds
in my opinion is:
(to start out with- that is- not to carry)

song and garden birds of north america


an older book! prolly hard to find now
but it had small flex vinyl bird records in the back
which allowed you to hear each individual bird
as narrated by the bird guide
....and that helped me to identify birds better!

because allot of times you hear them
but cannot always see them because of dense foliage

It is excellent.

I just want to point out there are several really good websites nowadays for bird visual/vocal ID. We are in the internet age!

I'll post some later but if you have your favorite, please post.

really good site. Cornell Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/search (includes multiple versions of calls/songs, video, color patterns and most likely to confuse with")

Common Birds of NE: http://www.bio.brandeis.edu/fieldbio...CH_COMMON.html (no songs)

for those on iPad/iPod: http://www.birdjam.com/?osCsid=uggve...qgqko0d6ao4d92

Another great gift for Bird watchers is the iFlyer bird call wand. It is a small handheld wand and a small field guide that has pictures of NA birds. Next to each pic is a barcode... you wand it and it plays their unique bird call. I went to Mt auburn cemetary last spring (cambridge, MA) with a friend who has one and this device is great. At $87 from Amazon not cheap but the birders I know love this device.

here is the link to Amazon:

Amazon.com: I-Flyer BirdSong Scanning Wand: Patio, Lawn & Garden

severe temperatures
 

watching chickadees pecking on frozen suet squares wasn't cutting it
as they hardly were making a dent in the now "wood like suet" ...
so i grabbed one......

brought it inside and grated it with a cheese grater into much smaller bite sized pieces for them

now the tuft TIT mice ,Nuthatches and Chickadees are loving life.

little things like this goes a long way in getting them enough fat to burn in these frigid temperatures and survive.

I've had the feeders up for almost two weeks now. For the past week, I've only had the same two birds show up every day. Haven't seen a single one of their avian friends. What's the deal?
http://imgur.com/vXGmB.jpg

LOOKS rather high up ....
i have several types

the one they like the best is made out of wood and is ancient

the wire is wicked cold , so, add a wooden dowel perch to it
attached to the wire with some twisto's

they like LANDING zones
to scope it out first- i've found
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c6...1/cardinal.png

At least you have finches, you'll regret when the sparrows, blue jays and other less desirables show up and go through your sun flower seeds every day.

Agree with Raven, too high up and away from cover. Give them time others will find the feeder, especially at first snow.

Appreciate the input from you and Raven. Unfortunately, that spot was my only option. We have some large bay windows with a reflective coating on the outside which works out well in that we can stand right next to the window and see the birds (the pictures I posted are without any zoom). We don't have a yard or anything like that and wanted to put the feeders in a place where they could be enjoyed.

Those two goldfinches have gone through half the tube of sunflower seed in about a week. Do you guys suggest I get a mixed seed or keep going with the sunflower seeds?

Honestly, my main goal is to get regular visits from cardinals. I really enjoy their vivid red color. Tips?

Get something with a flat bottom, cardinals don't like (but will try) to feed from tube feeders. Stay with 100% striped or better black oil sunflower seeds. Cardinals like safflower seeds (white). Put up a couple suet feeders and enjoy all the birds that like those. You can hang them from the bottom of your tubes.

Once birds start feeding they will draw more birds.

I have a similar setup on the other side of the bay window that holds suet. Haven't seen a single bird land on it and doesn't look like a scrap of suet has been eaten.

I may go to Job Lot and grab something like this:
http://www.mybackyardplans.com/pics/...eeder%2014.jpg
hang it where the suet bag is now and hang the suet bag below.

That's ideal for your cardinals! Get some high level mix with safflower and fill that feeder. The suet eating birds will be here shortly don't give up on it.

agree with BUZz
 

on the safflower seed

but you want to go get HULLED seed blend at a wild birds unlimited
outlet if you have one near by... as its allot fresher
kaytee is also a good quality brand

otherwise go to a feed store...and see what they have

stuff at: job lot, k mart ,walmart ect is old and usually a cheap quality....never BUY a huge bag of blended seed that has MILLET in it because its a scam BIGTIME and the worst seed imaginable
don't buy seed sight unseen where you cant see thru the bag
unless you trust the brand... noticing how much shake or broken down seed "dust" also is an indicator of seed age and quality

the higher quality seed is denser meaning less seed HULLS taking up space inside the feeder ... and they don't have to shell it

it's CHRISTMAS so reward them with something higher quality
ESPECIALLY since we are in extremely cold temperatures....

Always amazes me when i see a NUTHATCH t#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&g saflower and sunflower seeds up underneath roof shingles as a secret stash only that particular bird will remember

Real suet (beef fat trimmed from a steak strip) went into 2 holders tonight. I'll let JD know when/what birds find it.

Gay Democratic goldfinches

Good to know. I hate having to buy something so simple to make, but I have neither the time nor space to build one unless I wait until after Christmas.

Awesome info Raven. There's a livestock feed store right down the street from my office, I'll see what they have. Otherwise, Briggs flower nursery in N. Attleboro usually has a pretty good stock of high quality seed - pricey though.

Wild birds Unlimited by Stonehill College

Woodpeckers are back (both downy and the red bellied)
The rest have been here all year.

after i shaved a suet block with the cheese grater
the birds were coming and going gorging themselves like no tomorrow
no pecking required-LOL

totally cool seeing a NUTTY (nuthatch)
filling his beak full and throwing his head back to swallow it
kinda like us chugging beer
they were all so HAPPY they were singing ! :btu:

yeah the quality seed is a bit Pricey but conditions warrant it
spread some sunflower (non hulled) on the ground too for the ground feeders (cardinals prefer it typically)
but that attracts them closer then they'll find/discover your feeder again JD

Feeders, all single tube type are now up. Went to The Tractor Store and got the seed/suet last night. Great variety offered, pickup up individual bags of black oil, safflower, and sunflower hearts. Must have 6-8 different types of suet for $0.99 each. Have 4 suet block hanging.

These past few days have been very busy around the feeders for sure.
All the usual suspects for this time of year.

Air traffic controller needed: the flock has found the feeders within an hr!

Chickadees, house finches, titmice (titmouses?), wrens, sparrows, and 3 squirrels. Off to buy some cracked corn for those 4 legged rat, bas**rds with furry tails.

I go through way to much cracked corn.One thing I've started doing is placing my feeders away from anything that the rats can jump from and heavily grease the sheaperds hooks that I hang my feeders on.Its pretty damn comical to watch one jump up onto the pole and then slide down.The only drawback is that you have to regrease every few days so I just started using generic brand vaseline to save a few bucks.

not me.... i just YELL SQUIRREL!!
and unleash the HOUND on -em

that's her JOB

Keeps the old guy in shape and the little one never gets tired of tryin.

Day 2: add junkos, doves, and yes cardinals! I have 2 or 3 pairs of cardinals in the area year round.

JD: still no birds? You have seen cardinals around your condo, right? Try this: scatter seeds on the ground below. Even try to put out a water source. Once the birds are attracted to the area, they should look up and find your feeders. Gradually stop to the spreading of ground seed and the birds should be hooked on your feeders. Good luck.

i grab christmas trees
after christmas sometimes b4 on (last day)
or when they are free....

and i place them in a half circle
out in the snow as an instant habitat
then i salt the trees with seed
hang red onion bags of suet

a couple of those seed bells
and throw seed all over place
and in front of the trees

the birds have a freiken PARTY !!!

z'Observation
 

when i lived out west i paid particular attention
to the behavior of ants

if they were running around frantically
it was gonna rain sure as sh!t


yesterday i noticed the JUNCO's (acting different)
all spread out on the lawn (mathematically)

they were behaving like the ants.....
knowing the snow was coming

they were acting as if in unison
"all knowing" simultaneously

now every time is see that
i know what it means

literally a 1000 birds a day easy at my 3 feeders last couple weeks. Going thru seed like crazy. . Our 3 outdoor cats have lost interest there are so many birds. Tons of Blue Jays this year and have been absent the last several years. Seem to be hanging around the Japanese Snowbell tree i have as there are tons of fruits on the ground. I have lots of fruited shrubs loaded which are drawing birds too. I also think the flying squirrels have made an appearance too as I think I spotted one th other nite late. Cats are keeping the squirrels away it seems.

So,
today I'm outside working on the driveway and I look up and see a laughing gull (black headed seagull) that the right defination? Never seen one of those inshore before...

blizzard 2010
 

birds are eating quite frantically...

as i trim fat off the roasted holiday ham for meals

i place it outside.....for them

i had cooked some bacon the other day

and i had a small amount of liquid bacon grease
in the black iron pan..... to dispose of... ok

so i took a quart of black sunflower seed
and swirled it around in the pan... to soak it all up
then carried the whole works out to a feeding platform
the blue jays loved it as they eat the whole seed
without shelling them.... every seed was gone that day

they have been congregating on top of my PINK (coarse)
sand pile eating small stones for their gizzard- grinder too

F-ING Blue Jays
 

well i don't mind feeding them some seed
but when they come in a flock of 30 +
and then attract the starlings -> i get pissed

and they drive off all the other smaller birds
then......... i have to take stronger measures

so i grabbed some unused at the moment
freezer baskets and caged them bastids out

they can find greener pastures elsewhere- LOL

F U http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c6...-blue-jays.png

Raven: Great idea! Also functions as a squirrel guard.

looks like a carolina wren in there.