Even if you are self-quarantined due to COVID-19, there’s always something new and interesting to see in your own yard. Take a look at this lovely gentleman, for example. It doesn’t look like the stereotypical American Goldfinch, does it? We’re heading toward mating season for the goldfinch, so by now most of the males you see at your feeders have almost finished molting into their trademark golden and black plumage. However, some males won’t finish changing into their breeding plumage until June. This failure to launch doesn’t necessarily condemn this bird to a life of bachelorhood living in his parents’ basement. There’s still hope for him. Since goldfinches feed on thistles and similar seeds, they breed later than most of our songbirds, waiting for those seeds to be in abundance to feed to their young. So never fear! This late bloomer will probably do some “adulting” and find a lovely mate. Or at least his parents hope so! Ha!
RSS Feed
