Passerines

Brambling

Fringilla montifringilla

A Eurasian finch that is an irregular but annual vagrant to Alaska, arriving on the Aleutians and Pribilofs during autumn migration. Males in breeding plumage have a striking black head, orange breast and shoulders, and a distinctive white rump visible in flight. Most Alaskan records are of fall birds in muted non-breeding plumage.

Where to look

Pribilof Islands (St. Paul, St. George) during fall migration (September–October); Attu and other western Aleutian islands. Best searched for in weedy areas and around bird feeders if present.

Habitat

Open woodland, scrub, and weedy fields during migration.

Diet

Seeds (especially beech mast in Europe); insects during breeding season.

Natural history note

Bramblings sometimes form roosts of millions of birds in European beech forests during irruption years — but the small number that reach Alaska are usually solitary strays.