All winter long, the American Goldfinch has been visiting our feeders. At this time, the molting cycle is beginning with the males getting splotches of bright yellow mixed in around their faces and neck.
The Goldfinch has brought visitors to our feeders this winter. Pine Siskins, at times nearing 100 birds, mix in with the Goldfinches. It’s comical to watch when these two species are mixed together. First to come to the feeders are the Goldfinches who begin eating thistle and watch for any danger. As it seems that the coast is clear, the Siskins fly in. The feeding station becomes standing room only, and that is at a premium. The slightest hint that something is amiss and the whole flock takes off in a cloud of fury! All it takes is a call from a Blue Jay, or a movement from inside our house. After a minute or so, they all swarm back.
Another species that has been riding along with the Goldfinches are the Common Redpoll. Again, I have had 100+ of these beautiful birds at the feeding stations in our yard at any one time. The Redpolls are not as quick to take flight when the other birds are spooked. They even allowed me to stand in front of our picture window and take video of them without being spooked. (See Common Redpolls - Video)
It won’t be much longer and the male American Goldfinches will have their bright yellow plumage back. Even the females turn a brighter olive color. When late Summer early Fall returns to Maine, the Goldfinches will bring their young to the feeders and show them the bounty we have set forth for them.
For Skywatch Friday, I leave you this photo of an American Goldfinch with a cloudless blue sky as the backdrop. Enjoy!
American Goldfinch | Click for larger view
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Happy birding!
Skywatch Friday
{ 26 comments }
Hi John,
This is a wonderful picture for the Friday skywatch… Looks like the sky is blue around you… Nice to see that your feeders are working so well… here no feeders but a lot of redpoll and snow bunting in the city!!!
Lovely shot! He looks like he’s posing for you. Our backyard feeder has the same type of activity in the winter, but the redpolls didn’t come back to us this year.
Very beautiful against that sky! Mine are starting to get their black heads for summer.
I love the Goldfinch against the blue sky – Happy SWF!
Wow! It looks like he’s posing for you, and so majestically! Very neat shot! Your passion for bird-watching is evident!
Mary, Cam and DewDrop, Thank you!
Clear and warmer tomorrow… feel a road trip coming on!
what a beautiful bird! the photo does it justice!
Truly a beautiful portrait!
Wow! All the crisp details of the feathers and the cones… simply awe inspiring
Tammies and Red;
Thank you!
John, such a beautiful photo. The goldfinch looks so crisp and colorful in it.
Very striking photo. That bird exudes self confidence in his appearance; I predict he’ll do well competing for a mate.
Great shot of the bird.
The lighting is perfect – the bird is crisp and beautiful! Looks like he’s on top of some minature type pinecones?? Excellent photo!
Excellent shot of the American Goldfinch. Great photo.
Beautiful bird and great SW posting.
Lovely blue sky and great goldfinch photo. Thanks for sharing.
John, yellow, black and brown/olive is quite striking against a clear blue sky. Great capture. BTW, what is your goldfinch perched on? And thank you for stopping by my blog and commenting on my Skywatch.
John, those goldfinch colors are quite striking against a clear blue sky. It won’t be long now you’ll see these beauties in full breeding plumage. BTW, what is this goldfinch perched on? And thank you for stopping by my blog and commenting on my Skywatch.
A superb shot, he looks so swlf satisfied!
Thanks for visiting my SWF blog. That sounds fun to watch, standing room only at the bird stand. I think I could get them to move too.. .I like to watch birds especially hawks fly above.
Norwood
What an excellent capture. IF we have those birds here, they’re just passing through. I see them only rarely. Such a nice flash of color.
Thanks to all for stopping by for my Skywatch Friday!
Excellent American Goldfinch capture for SWF John. Beautiful colors on the bird against that blue, blue sky and the tip of that tree (with what I assume are seed pods?) makes for a gorgeous shot! I also had hundreds of Pine Siskins this year and House Finches in place of Redpolls.
Spring is arriving here in California and I have great expectations for a great 2009 birding year!
I am unindated with English Gold finches at the moment .We have 2 sunflower heart feeders and refill them every 2 days why wont they eat cheaper seed darn birds LOL XXX Don
Perched with such majesty! Despite how ubiquitous they are, they always turn my head. I have dozens of beautiful photos because they are just too irresistible!
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