Yesterday I was watching the siskins as they made their morning excursion to the thistle feeders. I have added a couple more thistle feeders so there are even more Pine Siskins here each morning, if that is possible, I think at times. They cover the three eight perch feeders, the two black sunflower seed feeders and even the peanut feeder for the jays, along with every available perching space, ground and otherwise. I know some people don't like the siskins, but I find them most intertaining. They also bring in a lot of other little guys that are very interesting. The ones with the white chests and tails disappeared just before the strong windstorms last week. Yesterday I saw another very interesting little Siskin. It had no tail. It wasn't that a few feathers were gone. It absolutely had no tail feathers. It was there long enough for me to walk to the glass doors, about 3' from it. It never did turn upside down, so I did not get a really good look from that angle. It has its wings crossed over a very tail-less rear. Has anyone seen such a Pine Siskin before? I would appreciate any one who has any constructive comments regarding this bird.

jvbonham
Centralia, WA
jvbonham at msn.com