Attracting and keeping Pine Grosbeaks

[traveler]

We've got a nice bunch of them that showed up about a week ago and are sticking around (for now) feeding on the black oil we have out.

I went online to find what there favorite (feeder) food was and it seems they really don't have one. Black oil is mentioned as the best choice, but it says that they really aren't that keen on feeders in general, or seeds of any kind.

Any thoughts?

[Jim Almquist]

We seem to be able to keep a decent flock around in the bog when they show up with just black oil sunflower seeds. They are correct on there preference to feed on the ground as a first choice. You are lucky to have these guys around. They are one of my favorites because they will tolerate humans to the point if you sit still long enough they will land on you.

[KrabbyPatties]

They're tough to get to a feeder, but a big platform feeder (think a sheet of plywood on saw horses or a picnic table) with black oil is about the best you can do. Otherwise, they really like ash seeds, mountain ash berries, and crabapples. I wonder if we'll see as many in Minnesota if emerald ash borer wipes out our black ash stands.

[traveler]

So far so good...we have a ton of redpolls and about a dozen pine grossbeaks that seem to have found a home (ours). Lots of black oil on plywood on top of the picnic table on the deck, and 5 feeders spread out in a small area so they can spread out a bit. Took the christmas tree out and tied it to the end of the picnic table yesterday and they're digging the new perching opportunites as well!

This after fighting tooth and nail to FINALLY get rid of the darn barn cat:) No way was I going to bring any birds into the yard with that rodent around:)