We have had many bird visitors in our yard, some just passing through, but to date, I’ve been able to identify each one. That is until two weeks ago, when a medium sized gray bird showed up at our sunflower heart feeder, then another. And they have stuck around and I have no clue what they might be. And my Cville Buzz readers have been no help.
Someone suggested it was female house finch, but it is definitely not a finch. It has similar coloration (mottled grey with dark streaks on its back and wings) but it is twice the size of a house finch. It walks rather than hops and sometimes flutters its wings, as if a juvenile, but a juvenile what?
The bird has a short, curved bill similar to a grosbeak. It is a truly approachable bird, not terribly frightened of humans, We can get within about 6 or 7 feet. It eats sunflower hearts that spill from the feeder, but does not eat sunflower seeds or other true seeds.
I am enclosing another picture, though a little fuzzy. If anyone knows a genuine birder, I would love to know what my two friendly birds like to call themselves.
Help!
