Saturday 30 November 2013

An unusual bird behaving strangely at the feeder!

He eyes me carefully
They tell me it is an American Goldfinch. They change colours in the fall. It was

unusual, in that it was nestled in the dish of the feeder. At least for a moment. Once the blue jays came around, it flew off into the catalpa tree. Then it headed back to nestle in.

Daisy hung about under the feeder watching him. He'd eat, then rest. It was a cold one, yesterday, starting off at -10 C., but not as bad as this morning.
It's -20 C. today!


In summer, picking at my sunflowers
Whoops. I meant to do that!
Here is a summer goldfinch
in its glory


Oops, don't fall off!
I'm cold, and I'm not moving
Beginning to change
colours in fall.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

The goldfinch looks settled in the feeder ... perhaps a good view spot, perhaps sheltered from the weather and close to the food source.

Kay L. Davies said...

I can't imagine frozen metal being very comfy for nestling, but certainly there's plenty of food at hand. I like the photos, Jenn.
K

Al said...

What a cute little bird. How does he survive that cold weather?

Hilary said...

Awww it's such a lovely little thing. I saw a dead one on the road while walking, this morning. So sad.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

A very cute little bird!

Billy Blue Eyes said...

That is a cute bird but boy is that cold there.

Christine said...

yes, it's cold outside, lovely photos!

Red said...

I had the same juvenile American goldfinch here. Although the bird looked familiar I completely missed the identification and embarrassed my self by posting it.

Kay said...

Gosh! I didn't know they did that. Does that mean they actually molt their feathers and new ones grow in? Or does the feathers just change colors? That's amazing.

Jenn Jilks said...

Ah, Red. I must admit...I posted it to Canadian Bird Feeders and asked for help IDing it! I thought a goldfinch, but wasn't sure!

They must molt, Kay. The tree frogs go from green to gray, but these change fall/spring!

Powell River Books said...

You are so good to care for the animals around your place all winter long. We are afraid to use a feeder with our sporadic schedule at the cabin. We don't want the birds to get used to being fed, and then not have anything to eat while we are gone. - Margy