Thursday, June 20, 2019

American Goldfinch (Chardonneret jaune)

     This morning when I got out of bed and looked out the window, the first thing I saw in the Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) was a couple of male American Goldfinches (Spinus tristis) and I was struck by the sheer beauty of this species. It is so familiar, literally in the garden every day, sometimes twenty or thirty at a time when all the feeders are full, and we take it for granted, I suppose.


     As I was looking at the two birds in the tree, no more than two metres away, I began to think about European common species and European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) and Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) sprang immediately to mind. These two familiar species, well known to all and much loved, are featured frequently on blogs, and seem to have universal appeal.
     Perhaps it is time to cast American Goldfinch in similar light.


     The favourite food of American Goldfinches is the seed of thistle plants, but they do not hesitate to feed on the seeds of garden plants either, as is shown by these females in our backyard.


     The species is widespread across the continent and remains with us in Ontario during the winter, surviving cold temperatures and wintry gales.



     It has a cheery, easily recognizable song, often given in flight. Locally it is sometimes referred to as Wild Canary!



     I am sure that you will agree that this is a handsome species, worthy of our appreciation, and I vow to pay more attention to it from now on.



     It shows a great fondness for sunflower seeds. I will have to make sure the feeders are stocked to the brim tomorrow!

David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

62 comments:

  1. Handsome birds! I've never seen them out this way or in Central Ontario. You must be at their northern range.

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    Replies
    1. They can be found in Ottawa, William, and their breeding range extends much farther north.

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  2. Absolutely deiightful - and of course, an exotic beauty to me.

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  3. Such darling birds. How lucky you are to see them so often. We had 1 random male goldfinch in our yard last week. It must have been one who enjoys tropical like weather or maybe lost his clan that moved northward.

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  4. Hari OM
    It is true that that which is familiar is often consigned to the background - and yet, as you say, each bird has its own astonishing beauty. The birds on your side of the 'pond' all seem so colourful compared to the majority of UK/Euro species, but that is at first glance, of course. Degrees of subtlety! Thank you for bringing this little darling a little closer to us. YAM xx

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  5. I saw American Goldfinch only once. It is such a beautiful bird! David, these are amazing photographs of these birds. You were lucky to hear how these birds sing. I wish some day I will see again American Goldfinch.

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  6. Hello David,
    Very beautiful photos, and lovely color!

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  7. Buenos días amigo Raúl, para mí el Jilguero americano es un pájaro sumamente bello creo, que mucho más bello que el Jilguero europeo. Probablemente al tener tan visto en tu zona no se le da la importancia que realmente merece, me parece un pájaro esplendido y de gran belleza, sus colores encajan y sintonizan a la perfección.
    Un fuerte abrazo querido compadre, os deseo un buen fin de semana.

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  8. Hola David.

    Eres muy afortunado porque unos bonitos pajarillos te visiten a diario en tu propio jardín, como he escrito más de una vez en mi blog muchas veces no disfrutamos y valoramos suficientemente a "lo hermoso de lo cotidiano".

    Un abrazo desde Galicia,

    Rafa.

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  9. Hello David,
    you are so right: mostly we don't see the beauty anymore in things that surround us all the time. But fortunately this morning you saw the beauty if this wonderful goldfinch. The bright yellow is eyecatching, but also in the other images (different times of year?) its looking very good.
    I enjoyed your post,

    Best regards, Corrie

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  10. Hi David.

    Magnificent birds.
    The yellow one is really super beautiful.

    Greeting from Patricia.

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  11. Hello, they are beautiful birds. I do not see many Goldfinches in my yard. I miss them! Wishing you a happy day and weekend!

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  12. It is a beautiful bird, the females are very similar to our female Chaffinch! I don't know what their song is like but the tinkling song of our European Goldfinch is a joy to hear!

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  13. 🐦🐦🐦🐦 çok güzel

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  14. They are delightful to see. What a big surprise seeing then in your yard.
    Photos are good too.

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  15. Fabulous David, lovely pictures.

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  16. Fabulous goldfinch photos. I love them at my feeder, even if they are a regular visitor. Mine always let me know when the food is gone!

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  17. That is such a beautiful bird to be able to enjoy in your garden - it looks very exotic to my eyes.

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  18. Oh this is a beauty indeed. You kept it well hidden from us untill now. A loveley bird and great you have them all year round in large numbers in your garden. The colours of the male are stunning.
    Regards,
    Roos

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  19. Es precioso, los que tenemos en España también son muy lindos y cantan muy bien. Besitos y feliz fin de semana.

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  20. Their habits and their commonality seem identical to our European Goldfinch David. So common are both that I think we should arrange to swop several thousands of each.

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  21. If they turned up in England we'd certainly take notice! I think we're all guilty of not paying enough attention to the familiar. You'll be pleased to hear that my brother is becoming a keen birdwatcher since his retirement and stopped on our walk several times yesterday to observe the birds.

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  22. These are beautiful, David! I needed to see some bright birds today and this was the place! I've not yet seen finches at my feeder and usually by now there are plenty. I'm wondering if it's my seed and may well dump it and buy fresh, clean the feeder again and see what happens. I miss them!

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  23. Absolut David så håller jag med dig. Den färgen ser vi inte på någon fågel här i Norden, mycket vacker!

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  24. wow, wow, wow...what a beautiful sight to wake up to. it is our state bird, and the males are such a standout. the females are pretty too!!

    awesome captures!!

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  25. The photos and birds are absolutely beautiful.

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  26. Certainly one that should not be taken for granted, David. The male is spectacularly handsome, and the female has a serene beauty to match! Perhaps controversially, I'd put this above the Northern Cardinal for looks.

    I love that second shot!

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    1. The Northern Cardinal keeps its red colour all year, Richard, so that is a major difference. American Goldfinch is quite drab in the winter, or as I would contend, subtle!

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  27. We only see them down here in the winter, so we miss their bright golden coats. We do have huge flocks of the, as they pass through. Beautiful photos!

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  28. We have the odd one here in Summer but they are mostly fall and winter visitors for us here in the South. I always enjoy seeing them and hearing their songs. They brighten up a dreary day with that Banana Yellow color!

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  29. El jilguero en bellísimo David, sus brillantes colores llaman la atención. Guapa pareja y preciosas fotos!!
    Me hubiese encantado compartir las cerezas contigo 😊 ya no queda ninguna.
    Buen fin de semana.
    Un abrazo.

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  30. They are a beautiful species. I enjoy seeing them in our pear trees and at our feeders. You captured them nicely in these photos!

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  31. When I came home for lunch today, I heard a familiar musical twittering in the trees. When I spotted the birds, I was surprised to see goldfinches. We have great flocks of them in winter, but it was a treat to hear and see them today. I didn't see any in breeding plumage, but it was enough to hear their cheerful songs.

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  32. I always love goldfinches due to their colors....wonderful

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  33. Good!!!! - I'll enjoy seeing them ... they are stunning, I so agree. Wonderful French name ... Chardonneret-Jaune ... I'd love to see a flock of them ... must make do with robins, seagulls, crows and magpies ... just love this summer weather though - enjoy your array of colours ... cheers Hilary

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  34. Hello David, I love this Goldfinch post and the beautiful photos. Thank so much for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend. PS, thank you for the comment on my blog.

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  35. I love the photo of the Goldfinch in the water...so beautiful! We have huge flocks of them here in the winter months. Now the House Finches have taken their place in the feeders. Thanks for catching my error this morning! You are the best! Enjoy your weekend!

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  36. Hello David,
    It is less colourful than ours but this yellow is bright, it is superb.
    It's also a bird I like very much.

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    1. Un des mâles vient de me poser la question: est-ce que Nathalie viendra me connaître. J'espère que oui!

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  37. Beautiful photos of the beautiful American goldfinch. Greetings Caroline

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    1. beautiful...and surprisingly, they could survive winter temperature....

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  38. Hi David,
    A good idea to present this bird and place it in the spotlight. Especially the male bird is a beauty. It would have been a pity to neglect this obviously common bird.
    Greetings, Kees

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  39. What beautiful birds--and tough, too, to stay there through the winters! I used to marvel at the wee birds who would be out and about through the long Fairbanks winters.

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  40. Friend David, make sure the feeders are full because this beautiful species of American goldfinch deserves the best. It is a pleasure to open the window and see them and hear them sing, it happens to me and we must value those moments more often.
    Miriam makes some extraordinary photos!
    Many kisses.

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  41. Such beautiful birds here - lovely photographs.

    All the best Jan

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  42. Hi David,
    Great shots of this beautiful American Goldfinch.
    Our Eurporian GoldFinch looks quite different, but of course, is also beautiful ;-)
    This is a very colourful bird, wonderful that yellow!
    Regards,
    Maria

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  43. Beautiful goldfinch, I did not know that species well, I am struck by the intense yellow and dark black in the male. It seems more robust than the Spinus in my country.
    Regards

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  44. The birds are so beautiful! Love the bright yellow colour of the feathers.

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  45. "..a handsome species.." indeed - these goldfinches!
    Your photos do them perfect justice.

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  46. Never, never seen. You make me so happy with all these photos.

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  47. Hi Both,
    Your Goldfinch is certainly a handsome bird with its bright yellow feathering.
    My thoughts are equal beauty to our Goldfinch but your appears to be doing well, ours appears to be in decline.
    All the best,
    John

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  48. I found its song and it is indeed lovely. I wonder what 20 or 30 of them sound like together! It's funny how even the most everyday things can be perfectly amazing once you study them. I've started to look more closely at bugs and beetles - wow!

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  49. We get goldfinches in our backyard feeder year round here in S California. Only occasionally are they absent, and we always assume there must be a lot blooming or seeding so they can bypass the feeder. Beautiful photos!

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  50. Wonderful photos that show with details the beauty of these little birds.

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  51. The yellow bird has an incredibly beautiful color!

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  52. It's always nice to watch these beautiful colorful birds!
    Greetings

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  53. It's a wonderful bird David. For you it's common but for us it is exotic with this bright yellow color. The females look a bit like 'our'goldfinches and the food they prefer is the same.
    Lovely species!
    Kind regards,
    Marianne

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  54. Wow .... that yellow American goldfinch is super! I wish we had it in the Netherlands. So I will have to go to Canada one day to see these beautiful birds (and you) :-))))
    And yes ......... I very much agree that this is a beautiful species!

    Dear greetings, Helma
    xx

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    1. We are waiting for you to come, Helma!

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    2. Thank you David :-))))
      Dear greetings, Helma xx

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  55. They are charming!
    ...and your shots are neat.

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  56. ¡Que bonitos! Son preciosos David, su color es espectacular. Las fotos son preciosas. Besos.

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