American Goldfinch with Purple Finch on feeder

An interesting video that clearly shows how well adapted the beaks of both these birds are to crushing and eating seeds. Compare them to a bird such as the Black-capped Chickadee, whose more diverse diet of insects as well as seeds requires a longer, less triangular beak that's not as efficient at crushing seeds but offers the chickadee other options at mealtime.

Be sure to click on the link below to the eNature field guide entries on these birds to learn more about them.