Off Topic: Goldfinches
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flyin-lowe
- Posts: 3788
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
- Location: Indiana/Henry Co.
I have a large number of Goldfinches I began feeding this year. Do this birds stick around in the winter or will they head south. I was just curious if I should take my feeder down. I live in Indiana.
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Linda Reynolds
- Posts: 1308
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 8:33 pm
- Location: Adamsville, TN
flyin-lowe, according to Sibley's guide, Indiana hosts American Goldfinch year-round, so if I were you, I would keep my feeders filled.
You might not initially recognize them as your summer visitors because they lose their colorful summer wardrobe during non-breeding season. They will not be sporting the bright yellow or black caps during the non-breeding season, but will continue to visit as long as you offer food.
I hope you enjoy your winter birds.........
You might not initially recognize them as your summer visitors because they lose their colorful summer wardrobe during non-breeding season. They will not be sporting the bright yellow or black caps during the non-breeding season, but will continue to visit as long as you offer food.
I hope you enjoy your winter birds.........
Ever-Grateful,
Linda
Linda
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Donnie Hurdt MN
- Posts: 1723
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 11:14 pm
- Location: North Prairie, MN
The Goldfinches are tough enough to stay here year around so it will be easy for them to overwinter in your milder climate where you live, and life will be a bit eaiser for them with you feeding them.
PMCA member and Martin fanatic....
2011 A pair of subbies fledged three young but none returned in 2012
2015 One Pair of subbies came and stayed a few nits but got chased away by Bluebirds and Tree swallows.
2017 0ne pair of subbies nested and fledged 4 young
2018 Tree Swallows AGAIN chased away any martins that wanted to nest
2019 Same old story................
2011 A pair of subbies fledged three young but none returned in 2012
2015 One Pair of subbies came and stayed a few nits but got chased away by Bluebirds and Tree swallows.
2017 0ne pair of subbies nested and fledged 4 young
2018 Tree Swallows AGAIN chased away any martins that wanted to nest
2019 Same old story................
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Guest
This weekend I observed my feeder birds carefully, with strong binoculars, as part of my participation in the Cornell Lab House Finch Disease Survey. The lab is tracking House Finches with the eye disease, conjunctivitis, which can also infect Goldfinches and other birds.
I was dismayed to see the first Goldfinch I've ever seen with the disease. He had it only on his left eye, which was so scaly and swollen that it was almost closed. I have been taking precautions to limit the number of House Finches that use my feeders; all the House Finches I have are healthy. I have decided to take all the feeders down for at a least two weeks, though, because, in addition to the diseased Goldfinch, I also this weekend found the remains of one of my feeder doves, which had been taken by a hawk that is wintering in my neighborhood.
If it's not one thing, it's another!!!
I was dismayed to see the first Goldfinch I've ever seen with the disease. He had it only on his left eye, which was so scaly and swollen that it was almost closed. I have been taking precautions to limit the number of House Finches that use my feeders; all the House Finches I have are healthy. I have decided to take all the feeders down for at a least two weeks, though, because, in addition to the diseased Goldfinch, I also this weekend found the remains of one of my feeder doves, which had been taken by a hawk that is wintering in my neighborhood.
If it's not one thing, it's another!!!
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Guest
If anyone is having House Sparrows at their feeders, you can deter them by shortening your perches to 5/8" long or by using an upsidedown nyger feeder. Some regular feeders can just be turned upsidedown, and rig a new hanger. These measures will keep all but the smallest birds away.