Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus

Male Goldfinch by Val Lee

When I first saw a Goldfinch, I thought, “That bird escaped from its cage.” As I learned more about the birds of our area, I became amazed by the fact we have many colorful wild birds that are not classified as “tropical;” Idaho is far from “tropical.” I have enjoyed learning about these wonders and I continue to discover all the time. Simply, it is about observing and researching God’s little creatures.

I was very excited when I purchased my Goldfinch feeder (seen in first photo and video), knowing I might attract many of them to my yard. All I have to do is fill my elongated feeder with thistle seed. I must add, the reddish House Finches love thistle seed and try to rob my feeder with their larger beaks that just don’t fit. I am very glad they are hindered, as thistle seed costs more than sunflower seeds. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not pitiless to my House Finches and other birds. I have a sunflower seed feeder for them, but they definitely prefer thistles seeds.

It is fun to watch a Goldfinch suspended upside down when consuming feed. No, I am not kidding! They, at times, will turn themselves upside down to nibble. God is so amazing in His creativity.

The American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis), is a North American bird of the large finch family that includes Sparrows. It is migratory, ranging from southern Canada and southward during the breeding season, and heads to northern Mexico for its winter retreat. We do see them in Idaho all year round, but I am sure the numbers increase during the warm pleasant months as with most birds.

My video of Goldfinch eating on wild thistle seed plant:  It is the only Finch within its subfamily that undergoes a complete molting (replacing existing feathers with new). The male and female manifest dimorphism (sexual differences) in coloration. The male is vibrant yellow in the summer and olive-hued during the winter months. The female is paler with a yellow-brown shade, which brightens to a light yellow during the summer. These canary couples complement each other with their outfits, the male dressing in bright yellow and the feminine looking female in a more subtle soft yellow plumage. They are the talk of the town.

When it is time to think family (July-August), the male will court his gal with an ear-catching, lovely canary serenade. The hesitant shy gal will fly in an elusive zigzagging manner, playing hard to get. Her pursuer will at times break from his circling maneuvering and perform his aeronautic spectacle. He will tuck his wings close to his body, plummet earthward, and then spread his wings to coast upward in a long series of loops—quite the impressive, breath-taking aerial show.

Goldfinches are generally monogamous—a sweet design of God. Their nest is placed in a small tree or shrub and is well constructed—renowned as being one of the finest among flyers—very strong, thick and waterproof. Its cup-shape is made of woven plant material such as grass and bark. Thistle or milkweed down is used for lining insulation. Each clutch contains 4-5 pale blue eggs and the incubation period is 10 to 12 days. Both parents feed the tiny ones seeds, which have been partly digested and regurgitated into their mouths. By the time they are 10 to 16 days old they are ready to fly from their nest. Adult finches produce one brood per year.

The American Goldfinch is a granivore (seed consumer). It was created with a conical beak for removing seeds and agile feet to grip the stems of the seedheads while feeding. It is a gregarious avis, and will gather itself in large flocks while feeding and migrating. This bird is long-lived—six to eight years. Its flying speed ranges between 19 to 30 MPH—quite the racer. It is the state bird of Washington State.

The American Goldfinch in general has profited through humanity, increasing their survival rate. This includes all of us who feed them.

If you do not know the Creator of this American beauty and other birds and would like to, you can call upon God the Father to save you from your sins and ask Him to provide you with a new forgiven life. You simply have to acknowledge the fact Jesus Christ died for you on a wooden stake two thousand years ago, shedding His blood that you might be saved. I must add, surrendering your life to Christ can involve the loss of friends, but the eternal rewards are worth it.

* Summer photos shot in my backyard
* Some info gathered from Wikipedia and other web sources

Letter to the Bird Enthusiast!

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