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Friday, July 2, 2010

Camera Critters

American Goldfinch
(Spinus tristis)


Gathering plant down to use as nesting material,
this male must be helping out.
According to Kenn Kaufman's Lives of North American Birds,
the American Goldfinch nest is constructed by the female. 
The nest is a "solid, compact cup of plant fibers, spider webs,
plant down (especially from thistles)" and the nest is
"so well made that it may even hold water."



When not warbling, the vocalizations of the American Goldfinch
sound as though they are asking a question. 
Sometimes they go on, and on, and on,
asking their question
over and over and over again, 
until I feel compelled
to answer them!!


 

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12 comments:

Steve Willson said...

Nice shots. After reading your post it occurred to me that I haven't seen any Goldfinches here this year. That's really unusual. Why didn't I notice that before?

dianasfaria.com said...

oh my goodness! how cute is that little birdy?!
I love being outside in my backyard listening to the birds. I definitely hear them conversing with each other. It is the neatest thing.

Di said...

really different to Aussie birds!

KaHolly said...

Steve, all the goldfinches are here! Sometimes I swear there are a hundred out there!

Lily, sitting in my backyard and listening to the birds is one of my greatest joys!

Di, I'd love to come birding in Australia!

Carrie P. said...

Great photos. I love goldfinch and their songs unfortunately for some reason we don't have as many as in years past.

Adrienne Zwart said...

Very nice.

Carletta said...

Wonderful shots!
I've only starting feeding the finches the past two summers but love watching them. Such pretty birds at the feeders.
Thanks for the nest info.

Anonymous said...

The GF here don't nest till August.. but I love hearing their songs.. Lovely photos in amongst the greenery...Michelle

Andree said...

Just beautiful. I love reading the information. I can't get our goldfinches because they move too fast and too distant from the house. Of course, when I go out to photograph them, they run away!!

http://meeyauw.blogspot.com/2010/07/camera-critters-117-tractor-chicken.html

Linda Reeder said...

Our state bird! But we don't have many here in the city.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Karen: One of my favorite little birds.

Birgitta said...

Nice shots of this little bird!