A scarce visitor to the region these days, though can be seen fairly reliably, in small numbers, in places like Larose Forest. I well remember the days, some decades ago, when huge flocks would descend in winter and clean out a feeder in what seemed like minutes, earning them the name "Greedybeaks"! They were a common sight, even for some an unwelcome one because they ate so much seed and their sheer numbers scared off other birds. Now,it is a momentous occasion to see and hear these large winter finches. I for one, always enjoyed seeing them in such large numbers and I really miss them!! A poor cone crop up north is what has driven these and other winter finches southward.

They are considered a Species of Special Concern in Canada by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).