Bird Description

Uncommon hardy n. bird that breeds in mixed forest, particularly with spruce. Irruptive, will move in winter to deciduous trees at lower altitudes, feeding on buds, berries, and fruit. Can be regular at feeders. Tameness, soft expression, and lovely 'fall' colors make this bird popular. Usually in small tight flocks, eating quietly in trees, but can be embarrassingly easy to overlook due to their slow movements. Direct undulating flight. Very quiet, mellow 'pew' call given mostly in flight. Song: a musical warble. ID: Large and bulky with a longish forked tail that seems proportionally narrow. Head is small, rounded and uniform, except for a small dark area through eye. Bill small and stubby with curved edges. Bold wing bars and tertial fringes. Gray on back and underparts a beautiful complement to other colors. Ad ?: usually extensive pinkish red. Ad ?: more extensive gray with mustard yellow. 1st-yr: as ad ?, aged by retained juv wing feathers. Some ?s and many 1st-yr ?s show russet or similar color tones that extend onto breast.