This male American Goldfinch caught my eye after the recent snowstorm here in Arkansas. Why? Because he’s starting to molt into his breeding plumage.
Winter male American Goldfinch starting to get his breeding plumage – Canon R7, f8, 1/1250, ISO 800, +1.3 EV, Canon EF 100-400mm II at 400mm, natural light
The male goldfinch is starting to show black in his forehead and he is showing more yellow on his chin and face than male goldfinches were showing just a few weeks ago.
American Goldfinches, unlike other members of the finch family, molt twice a year, in spring and in the fall.
It seems a bit early to me to see one of these male goldfinches already starting to molt, but I’m in a new part of the country and learning a new nature cycle for my bird and animal subjects.
Last year, during the nesting season of American Goldfinches, I didn’t see them at all. Back in Utah, I only saw them up in the mountains during their breeding season.
Maybe it’s the same here—just a matter of them being in the right nesting habitat at the right time. The Ozark Mountains aren’t very far from here, after all, and these finches breed late in the season. I’ll have to figure that out.
I’ve been enjoying seeing, hearing, and photographing the American Goldfinches that visit the feeders here this winter. Their soft calls always make me smile.
Mornings are still very chilly here, which means I get to see these finches come to the sunflower seed feeder not long after dawn. They need the calories to help keep them warm.
Next week, the weather warms up—I’m looking forward to that.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my American Goldfinch photos plus facts and information about this species.