EXPLORING NATURE: FINCHES

My day was brightened considerably with the recent sighting of an American goldfinch at my sunflower seed feeder.

A pleasing combination of yellow, gray and black, this plump five-inch bird is a winter visitor to our area and is the state bird of New Jersey, Iowa and Washington. It is a member of the finch family which also includes pine siskins, common redpoll and evening grosbeak.

The American goldfinch weighs about half an ounce and has a life span of some three to six years in the wild. However, the oldest one recorded, in Maryland, lived ten years and nine months.

One other tidbit: the goldfinch molts its feathers twice a year, late winter and late summer.

There is something about seeing a yellow bird on a gray, dreary day that perks one up. It’s like a bit of winged sunshine.

To be technical, there is also a Lawrence’s goldfinch in Texas, but it is very rare and seldom seen.

There is an excellent chance you will see an American goldfinch, especially if you hang up a feeder and provide either black oil sunflower seeds, or — the bird’s favorite — nyjer or “thistle” seeds.

I am told this is an especially good year for finches and that the numbers coming down from Canada are making up “super flights.” So keep an eye out and hopefully you’ll see this delightful little bird.