Wednesday, April 1, 2009

He sings for her

In addition to the increase in woodpeckers that I mentioned in my last post, we have also had an increase in Purple Finches. We do seem to get an influx of these beauties as winter is wrapping up, as they make their way north to their breeding grounds in Canada and the northeast United States.

This past weekend, however, they set a record at my feeders, with 5 stopping in for breakfast on Sunday morning (4 males, 1 female). It was quite wonderful because all of the males were heartily singing.

It might be hard to tell in these photos, but this male is singing his heart out. See how his little throat is all puffed out while he sings?







He sings for her.



Female and male, perched together.

Safe travels, my little friends!
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8 comments:

  1. Kathie BrownApril 1, 2009 at 7:27 PM

    So cute! I don't get to see them here in AZ. I use to get them when I lived in Maine. So glad you can enjoy them.

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  2. KimApril 1, 2009 at 8:23 PM

    Such pretty birds! It is so cute that he is singing for her.

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  3. ShelleyApril 1, 2009 at 8:37 PM

    These are beautiful photos! And I think the female is impressed - I can tell by the look on her cute little face!

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  4. KellyApril 1, 2009 at 11:45 PM

    ...oh I love this post. Purple Finches are so sweet! Very nice photos. I really like the last one.

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  5. AndyApril 2, 2009 at 11:17 AM

    What a nice title!

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  6. HeatherApril 2, 2009 at 6:43 PM

    Kathy - It's so nice to be able share my "common" birds with folks who live in places outside of their range.

    Kallen - Yes, they are pretty. I once read a description of the male as saying he looks like he's been dipped in grape juice. They are very vibrant.

    Shelley - Yes, I think she was impressed, indeed.

    Kelly - Thanks, I like the last one too. It often seems hard to catch male and female birds together in one photo.

    Andy - Why thank you!

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  7. GinnymoApril 4, 2009 at 11:57 AM

    I've never seen a male Purple Finch but the female looks familiar. It seems I have some of those around. Not sure though. I'm not up on what names all the birds are. Love your photos!

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  8. HeatherApril 5, 2009 at 9:51 PM

    Ginnymo - The first year I saw a female Purple Finch I had no idea what she was. There were no males along with her, and the female looks similar to the female of several other species. It took me several years to figure out her identity!

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