January 6-Three puzzled birds

Winter wren © Kate Lynch

January 6 is the 12th Day of Christmas, Feast of the Epiphany, El Día de los Reyes, Three Kings Day. While in Ireland "wren day" is celebrated on the Feast of Stephen (December 26), in Wales Ystwyll is celebrated on January 6 with Hunting of the Wren. The tradition doesn't seem to be quite as gruesome as in Ireland, but it entails capturing a wren and parading it around town in a cage.

Purple finch © Kate Lynch

I occasionally see a winter wren or two in the front yard birdie spa. All the birds are quite puzzled by the camera sound, so cock their heads to see if they can figure out what kind of bird I am.

There are always lots of finches in the birdie spa. In winter, I see purple finches, house finches, and pine siskins. The purple finches and house finches are tough to tell apart. Purple finches look like were dipped in raspberry jam and have more distinct brown markings. House finches are red but more orange-red.

Raspberries to you © Kate Lynch

Ok, so I'm really posting four puzzled birds. Here's Jim, for once not looking ticked off at that annoying camera sound. This time he looks curious. Or he seems that way to me.

Quizzical Jim © Kate Lynch