This post is part of a project in the works; "An Ogemaw County Year". The blog and eventually the book will encompass nature noticing, research and facts over the course of a year with a watercolor painting for each entry. Originals and prints will be available via the website as they are completed and prepped and the book will be available upon completion.
For years, I've maintained a bird feeder in my backyard and I’ve always had a goldfinch or three when I lived in suburban areas. Upon moving to Ogemaw County, I discovered they live in large flocks. While American Goldfinches are a welcome addition to any feeder through the year, it is the sheer size of the group that visits my feeder each year that has surprised me. I am forever fascinated by their incredible transformation each year.
In the heart of summer, the American Goldfinches are a sight to behold. The males, with their bright yellow plumage and contrasting black wings, seem to radiate sunlight. They flit around the feeder, a burst of color that always lifts my spirits. The females are slightly less vibrant, with more muted yellow hues, but no less charming.
As the summer days began to shorten and the first hints of autumn crept in, I notice a subtle change in these vibrant visitors. The brilliant yellows started to fade, replaced by more subdued shades of brown and olive. By the time winter settled in, the transformation is complete. The once radiant males were now almost indistinguishable from the females, both sporting a dull, olive-brown plumage. Not only that, they group in to a large flock which sits in the forest most of steadily cooling afternoons and all winter, singing their melodious songs.
At first, I was puzzled by this change in color. The brown birds at my feeder looked so different that I wondered if I was seeing an entirely different species. It wasn't until I did some research that I understood the fascinating life cycle of the American Goldfinch and the reasons behind their seasonal color change.
The American Goldfinch undergoes a complete molt twice a year. In late summer, after the breeding season, they shed their bright feathers and grow new ones that are better suited for the colder months. This drab winter plumage provides better camouflage against the bare branches and snowy landscapes, offering them protection from predators. Then, as spring approaches, they molt again, shedding the dull feathers and donning their bright yellow summer attire to attract mates.
The transition from bright yellow to brown can be so dramatic that even experienced birders sometimes mistake winter goldfinches for other species. I've had friends over who, upon seeing the brown birds at the feeder, confidently identified them as sparrows or female house finches. It took some convincing and a good pair of binoculars to show them the subtle markings that distinguish the winter goldfinches from their lookalikes.
Observing these birds year-round has deepened my appreciation for the natural world. The American Goldfinch, with its seasonal transformations, is a reminder of the ever-changing cycles of life. Each season brings its own beauty, and these little birds embody that perfectly. So, as I sit by my window, watching the now brilliant yellow goldfinches flit about, I look forward to their large numbers singing from the branches all winter long.
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