One of the birds in the photos is unusual in these parts. Thanks to What Bird I learned its usual habitat is southwest Canada and winters in Mexico. Not sure how it ended up on the East Coast.
It's the first time we've seen a Black-headed Grosbeak. And there are 2 of them (at least)! First we thought it was a Baltimore Oriole. Nevertheless, quite a good spy!
They are in the same family as the Cardinals. Perhaps these birds, with their stunning black heads and cinnamon bellies decided a visit to their East Coast cousins was in order this winter.
They seem quite content in their accomodations, under our shed!
Welcome my new little feathered friends!
UPDATE!
Bothered by why the west coast Black-headed Grosbeak would winter in NC rather than warm Mexico we did some further research. Mystery solved when we discovered that our distant relatives were from not as far away as we originally thought. In fact they do come from Canada, "from southern Saskatchewan east to Maine and south to California and Florida. Spends winters across much of eastern U.S. north to Nebraska and southern New England. Preferred habitats include undergrowth and brushy edges of open woods. Northeastern birds favor young jack pines or second-growth oak forests; southern birds seek scrub oak or palmetto." What we actually have are the Eastern Towhees. We are still pleased to have them.
Here's a picture of the Grosbeak. You'll see why we were mistaken on their identity. The have similar colors, but the Grosbeak do not have the white underbelly that the Towhee has.
We are also pleased to welcome to the mix the slate colored, Dark-Eyed Junco. These adorable little birds look like they're wearing a tuxedo to me! Love their yellow beaks too!
