Spring is in the air.. I can feel it and as I watch the birds, I can see it! The American Goldfinch is the only finch in it's subfamily that undergoes a complete molt. The male is a vibrant yellow in the summer and in winter loses it's black cap and turns to a drab yellow-brown. Why they undergo this change is unknown... It's most likely a camouflage protection to hide from predators, but bright feathers don't seem to detour the Cardinals, Bluebirds and Blue-jays that visit my feeders throughout the winter months. Whatever the reason, I view the Goldfinch's seasonal change as a welcomed sign that spring will once again awaken my garden with color...
 |
| American Goldfinch-showing the beginnings of its spring color change. |
 |
| American Goldfinch-with its bright summer feathers blending in perfectly among the sunflowers! |
