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Finches are at the top of the evolutionary line of Ohio's birds. This is a family of small to medium-sized hopping birds. The bill is usually short, conical, and stout, allowing them to easily crack the seeds that form the bulk of their diet. In some finches the male is much brighter than the female; in others the sexes are similar. These birds are found in every land habitat in Ohio. The group is the largest bird family in the world and includes grosbeaks, finches, buntings, and sparrows.
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American Goldfinch
Carduelis tristis
At-a-Glance
• Peak Breeding Activity: June-July
• Incubation: 12-14 days
• Clutch Size: 4-5 eggs
• Typical Foods: seeds |
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Description
The summer male goldfinch is another of the brilliantly colored birds - a bright canary yellow, with a black cap, wings, and tail, and white rump. The female is a pale yellow with black wings and white wing bars. Winter birds are a tan to olive shade, but retain the black wings and white wing bars. The flight pattern is another good identification aid - undulating like the woodpeckers.
Habitat and Habits
The goldfinch is a fairly common permanent resident of weedy fields, fencerows, and seed-bearing trees. They usually flock together, except during the nesting season. They are great seed-eaters; many times they are seen sitting atop a dandelion or thistle flower pulling out the ripening seeds. Their song is a variable and complex mix of warbles and trills, but has a distinctive tone. Goldfinches often call while in flight.
Reproduction and Care of the Young
Goldfinches are among the latest of our nesting birds, waiting until the thistle seeds mature. The nest is a well-made cup of grass and bark strips, with the main ingredient being thistle and seed down. It is placed in an upright fork of a sapling and will hold four to five pale blue eggs. |
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