We are blessed on the North Shore with a fine diversity of finches.
Finches are noted for their short, thick bills, an adaptation for seed cracking or even hard-shelled insects. There are three main bill types: large thick bills, like the evening grosbeak; sparrow or canary-like, like the goldfinch; and crossbills, mandibles crossed over at tipsFinches are some of our most colourful resident birds coming in shades of red, orange and yellow, with males more colourful than females. Our finches also have beautiful distinctive voices, which are helpful in identification. For example, you can tell a house finch from a purple finch as their songs are completely different.
The most recent bird checklist for the Conservation Area at Maplewood Flats lists 10 species. Some, like the purple finch, are residents while others, like the blackheaded grosbeak, are an essentially summer species.
For all those who maintain backyard bird feeders, the colourful house finch is a familiar bird. It is also seen in forest edges and weedy patches. Finches love many of our weeds, like dandelions. Colour in this species is quite variable from red to orange and yellow for males. Females are brownstreaked while seeds are a mainstay of the house finch. Don't be surprised to see them feeding on flowers or even visiting hummingbird feeders.
For the past several years we've seen many pine siskins on the North Shore, but lately they've been scarce. Fluctuations like this are normal for what are called irruptive species, something thought to be driven by natural food crops (like alder or birch). The siskin is a streaky brown finch with yellow wing bars and a voice that sounds like someone drawing their thumb across a plastic comb. Look for siskins feeding in alder trees, along with goldfinches and redpolls.
The American goldfinch, cousin to the pine siskin, is sometimes called the wild canary. In summer the male is bright yellow with a black cap and wings, and a pink bill. The flight song is a lively "potato chip." A favourite food of the goldfinch is thistle seeds. In winter/spring, watch for goldfinches in alder or birch trees.
Redpolls are relatives of siskins and goldfinches, and sometimes travel together with them. The name comes from their pinkish-coloured cap or poll. The species recorded for the conservation area is the common redpoll. A large robin-sized and very beautiful finch is the rosered male pine grosbeak, the female is grey. Both have white wing bars. While a bird of mountain trails, (like at Mount Seymour
Provincial Park), it is also seen at lower elevations. Like other finches, it is also a fruit eater - crab apples and hawthorns are two favourites. It's a quiet bird so watch carefully in the right bushes.
Speaking of grosbeaks, there are two other species on the checklist with that name: the evening grosbeak and the black-headed grosbeak (seen in spring and summer only). The evening is yellow, with bright yellow eyebrows and white wing patches and a huge greenish bill. The female is a duller yellow. They feed on fruits, insects and conifer seeds.
Another irruptive species is the black-headed grosbeak. With its orange breast, black head and white-spotted black wings it's unmistakable. Watch for it in early May when it returns from its neo-tropical wintering grounds.
The crossbills are very distinctive and unique groups of finches. Their crossed bills are an adaptation for extracting seeds from conifer cones. Our common species is the red crossbill and its colour can vary from brick red to orange and yellow. The call is an easy one to remember: "kip, kip, kip" or "chiff, chiff, chiff." At the conservation area they are sometimes seen on the beach, possibly getting salt. Snowshoers and cross-country skiers should watch for them along mountain trails.
The white-winged crossbill is a locally rare species that should be watched for, especially in spruce trees, which is a favourite seed. Two other finch species on the list are the grey-crowned rosy finch, and lazuli buntings, both of which are listed as rare.
One of the best aids for learning to identify birds by ear is A Beginners Guide to B.C. Bird Song by John Neville and Mel Coulson (Neville Recording). Check with your local wild bird store. It is excellent.
Al Grass is a naturalist with Wild Bird Trust of B.C., which offers free walks at The Conservation Area at Maplewood Flats on the second Saturday of every month. The next walk will be Saturday, March 8 at 10 a.m. where participants will search for finches and other winter passerines that call the area home. Meet at WBT's site office, 2645 Dollarton Hwy. Walks go rain or shine.
