American Goldfinch in Winter

Here's an American Goldfinch I met last November. Some people think they migrate because they don't see tiny flamboyantly yellow birds bopping around during the winter. They might be surprised to learn that American Goldfinch don't "dress" like that all year round; the males have their bright yellow plumage only during breeding season, then go back to a much more subdued plumage (which also provides better camouflage to hide from predators) during the cold weather months. Females are also more colorful during breeding season, though the difference between their summer/winter plumage is a lot more subtle.

Most birds have a preference for eating bugs but will switch to seeds in the winter when arthropods are difficult to find. Goldfinches on the other hand are fairly committed vegetarians; they're happy eating seeds all year round. I'm sure the type of seeds they eat varies depending on what's available during a season, but if you're at a dinner party hosted by goldfinches you should expect to eat seeds.

November 2, 2022 at Duke Farms
Photo 250356356, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)


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