CLOSED: First Snow of Season First NEW Bird Ever

We've been trying to attract Goldfinches, and purchased a specialty feeder a few months back. We haven't seen any yet, but continue to watch. We have a window seating area that looks out on a feeding station, and this morning, I saw these birds foraging beneath the feeders. They had a strange method of ground feeding, scooting forward and backward on their feet to stir up items of interest. Just gorgeous birds, and really, super hyper. With insulating film on our windows, photos that I take through them always come out kind of grainy, which is only good if you're going for an artistic affect. So, even though these aren't terrific, I captured the general idea. What are they these birds? I'm excited about this, regardless of what kind of birdie has chosen to visit us.

Looks like Dark-eyed Junco to me. Maybe Oregon race.

The orange (to me) breast really threw me until I did some research and found photos of the pink-sided Junco. I certainly hope I see them again, as my view was so poor. To make matters worse, these little guys just wouldn't strike a suitable pose for me. Thanks so much for the info!

You are welcome. They are so pretty. I hope they do come back and do a better job of posing for you, but just getting to see them is spectacular. The race that I see around my area are not nearly as colorful.

Glad you are seeing the Juncos. They are always going to be one of my favorite winter birds. We get the Slate-colored most often, but now we are seeing more Oregons in recent years. I think we saw our first Pink-sided this year. Some people call the Junco's feeding method "the two step". I've seen other ground feeding sparrows do it, too.

My husband would like to put the plastic over all the north and west windows, but he knows I like having the "bird view" left alone for photos. Also, when it's blizzarding, I just throw seed out that window so I do not have to bundle up.

Do you have a photo editor by chance? I use GIMP. (It's a free download, if you do not have an editor) Some time ago, I learned the Auto White balance sharpens up photos taken through the window. I fiddle with the slider since sometimes it looks unnatural or too dark. But there are times when there is absolutely nothing I can do to improve a picture. :)

This was taken out the kitchen window which is kind of fogged over for some reason. My husband thinks moisture has gotten between the layers of glass. This is before and after. Not perfect by any means, but for me, it's good enough for printing, if I want a copy.

The juncos have arrived in the Pueblo area, too. I get several different color variations here. They prefer to eat off of the ground or maybe a table, as opposed to a feeder.

Most of mine feed as yours do, pollengarden, but some like getting creative and eat suet out of the "woodpecker treee" (a spruce trunk my husband buried in the feeding area with holes drilled in for suet) and the Juncos also will cling to the suet cages.