CASSIN'S FINCH (Carpodacus cassinii) 



The preferred habitat of the Cassin's finch is open forest and forest edge. 

 A common breeding bird in both parks, the Cassin's finch has a varied, 

 liquid, warbling song. The male Cassin's finch has a brilliant red crown 

 patch which contrasts sharply with its brownish neck. Females have 

 narrowly striped underparts, and both sexes have unusually long wings. 

 Like other finches, this species has a short, stout bill adapted to seed- 

 cracking. The food of this species consists primarily of seeds, insects, 

 and small fruits. Following pair formation in the spring, finches build a 

 cup nest on the limb of a conifer and the female lays four or five blue, 

 spotted eggs. In winter most Cassin's finches in Yellowstone and Grand 

 Teton migrate to lower elevations outside the parks. 



Pine Grosbeak 



Harry Engels 



PINE GROSBEAK (Pinicola enucleator) 



The pine grosbeak is a relatively uncommon breeding bird of the conifer 

 forests of Yellowstone and Grand Teton. The nest of this species is a loose 

 cup in a low conifer branch along the edge of a stand of conifers. Our 

 largest and one of our handsomest finches, the pine grosbeak is a hardy 

 species with an attractive plumage and a beautiful song. Adult males have 

 a rose-red plumage, while females and immature males are gray with a 

 dull yellowish-tinged head and rump. Both sexes display distinct white 

 wing bars. The powerful bill of this large finch is used to extract and crush 

 pine seeds. The diet of this species also includes needle buds, fruits, 

 berries, and an occasional insect. In flight the pine grosbeak has a deep, 

 undulating flight pattern. 



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