Common Redpoll

Description:

What I believe to be a female, Common Redpoll

Habitat:

On a tree stump in our yard, next to a lake but surrounded by wetlands, farmlands and woods within a 5 mile radius. These birds appear very human friendly and seem to prefer eating on the ground verses on hanging or platform bird feeders. The ones I've observed seem to prefer Black-oil Sunflower Seed but there was Safflower in the area as well.

Notes:

I had been standing stock-still near our platform bird feeder for about 20 minutes when this gal flew in. When she first arrived I was standing up casting shade on her so I slowly moved one step south and ever-so-slowly crouched down to capture her in the best lighting. She startled slightly with the shutter noise but accepted my proximity with ease even when I eventually stood back up and walked away.