White Brested Nuthatch at feeder

Getting seeds to tuck into atree for storage. (Chicago, Il)

Pine Sisken

The most common of the irruptive "winter finches," the Pine Siskin often remains on the wintering grounds long enough to breed. The Pine Siskin is gregarious even in the breeding season. It nests in loose colonies, and pairs may visit one another's nests. The nest is defended against other siskins primarily during egg laying and incubation. Breeding birds flock together to forage.

 

The heavily insulated nest helps keep the eggs warm in cold climates. In addition, the female incubates the eggs constantly, and is absent from the nest only for brief periods. Her mate feeds her while she sits on the nest.

Photographed in the wild, Chicago, IL

Phoebe (Eastern)

Perhaps is the most familiar flycatcher in eastern North America. The Eastern Phoebe is a loner, rarely coming in contact with other phoebes. Even members of a mated pair do not spend much time together. The Eastern Phoebe nests near people on buildings and bridges. It can be recognized by its emphatic "phee-bee" call and its habit of constantly wagging it tail

Immature are like the adults, but with more yellow on belly and noticeable faint wing bars.

In 1804, the Eastern Phoebe became the first banded bird in North America. John James Audubon attached silvered thread to an Eastern Phoebe's leg to track its return in successive years.

Photographed in the wild, Chicago, IL