American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)
This American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) is a good example of the species that will be loving the recently posted sunflower plot! Photographed by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser for the Meet Your Neighbours global biodiversity project in Connecticut while on assignment for the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History.
Read MoreSunflower Plot
The first “fall” migrant birds are already dispersing or moving about! Young swallows are leaving their nesting areas, shorebirds are beginning to come south, and flycatchers that may have had failed nests are already on the way to the wintering grounds. Later this autumn this sunflower plot will be a tremendously attractive spot to many passerine migrants looking for a feeding or resting area. Let’s keep up a good balance of rain and sunshine, please! For the birds.
Read MorePine Siskin & American Goldfinch
The feeders of Western New York are brightening up as the surrounding gardens and woodlands are, with birds like this Pine Siskin, on the left, passing through now, and the American Goldfinch, on the right, turning into neon yellow, glowing lights. The American Goldfinch nest so late in the season compared to some of our other resident birds that they can still be using their energy for molting now, taking advantage of feeding on all those also yellow sunflowers later on. The Pine Siskin is more of a nomadic species than anything else, and they will likely be breeding not much further to our...
Read MorePurple Finch vs House Finch comparison with feeder birds
Here we have a female Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus) feeding throughout the video along with a female House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) and a male House Finch later on. A Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) and Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) also make an appearance among the common feeder birds visiting this tray of sunflower seeds. Note that the female Purple Finch is larger and bulkier than her House Finch counterpart. She has more boldly defined colors in all regards with additional heavier and stronger facial and head markings. Take a few watches to get a feel for...
Read MoreAmerican Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) by Scott Kruitbosch
I found this American Goldfinch sitting on our windows on the morning of January 23 at RTPI. It had just eaten sunflower seeds at our feeders for a bit and then chose to sit here in the sun against the building, all puffed up – the bird version of wearing extra layers. After a few minutes of warming up it flew off. There are plenty of extra fluffy birds on our property lately…
Read More
