Tag Archives: American Goldfinch

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It would seem very late for a nest, but American Goldfinches do nest later than most birds. And this bird could be contemplating a second clutch. In any case, Craig Tooley watched this goldfinch working on her nest.

It's just a glimpse, for sure, but a sweet photo to see. Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share it with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: http://www.ruffimage.com

Foggy at the beaches, sunny just a bit inland, mild weather with gentle breezes - nice!

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Michael Reinhart recently photographed a male American Goldfinch in breeding plumage.

These birds love thistle seeds. They seem to like each other's company, as they travel together in large flocks.

Thanks to Mike for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

ooo, it's so windy today! It's sunny and mild, but the wind is brutal. My non-native lilies are having their blossoms ripped off today. Life on the Mendonoma Coast!

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The male Goldfinch in his breeding plumage is a joy to see. Chris Grossman photographed a pair. The female is on the left and it looks like they are gathering nesting materials.

American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis), Mendocino County, California

American Goldfinches are the latest songbird to breed. They depend on thistle seed and have to wait to see how abundant it will be.

Rick and I have lured them to a thistle feeder and we enjoy seeing them during the spring and summer. Pine Siskins also join them at the feeder, along with a clever Acorn Woodpecker now and then.

To hear the song of a Goldfinch, here's the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/american_goldfinch/sounds

Thanks to Chris for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

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Adrian Bennett has several bird feeders and bird baths in her yard at The Sea Ranch and she attracts many different kinds of birds. Deer often wander through but seeing a Bobcat under a feeder was something unique. Here the Bobcat peers around a bird bath.

 And below the Bobcat sits under Adrian's thistle feeder, while an American Goldfinch waits for the cat with the tufted ears and bobbed tail to leave.

 Here the Bobcat checks out a soft ball hanging from a birdhouse. And beyond is the beautiful blue Pacific Ocean.

Thanks to Adrian for allowing me to share her photos with you here. The wildlife on the Mendonoma Coast is amazing!

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American Goldfinches have arrived in great numbers to the Mendonoma Coast. Many of the males are in bright yellow breeding plumage to attract females. It's as if rays of sunshine were sitting on top of our Douglas fir tree. Rick and I put a thistle feeder out this spring, as we have the last several years, and we've been rewarded by the sight and sound of these little birds. The males sing a lovely song. We have also put out yarn for the females to use in making their nests. I guess you could call us "enablers."