Feeder Birds (part 2)
(click on photo to enlarge)
HOUSE FINCH
Sparrows were the first birds to turn up at our feeding station. Finches just dribbled in. First it was a solitary House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus), and a week or so later a few Lesser Goldfinches. Well, how things have changed! There are now over 40 House Finches and up to 25 goldfinches. I’d be a lot happier if the House Finches morphed into Cassin’s Finches or reverted back to the single finch that must have gone out and spread the word. House Finches are, well, so common! They’re found in every state, Mexico, and western Canada and are the epitome of feeder birds.
The Blabbermouth
I’ve heard House Finches described as “pig finches” — not exactly flattering but appropriate. They literally cover the black oil sunflower feeder and also treat themselves to the ridiculously expensive Nyger seed (since when did 10 pounds of Nyger go from less than $1.00/lb to $1.85/lb?) meant for goldfinches and siskins. They even eat while posing for a portrait.
House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus), male
The female looks just like the male except for one omission — she lacks any hint of red, a typical condition for females (duller coloration) if you happen to be a bird. Her plain brown head helps distinguish her from the other similar Carpodacus finches — Cassin’s and Purple.
House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus), female
The red coloration in male House Finches can be quite variable. It is a product of pigments called carotenoids and the variation in color is attributed to dietary factors. Here is a example of that variation. Who knows what this finch has been eating!
House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus), male
LESSER GOLDFINCH
The first Lesser Goldfinches (Carduelis psaltria) that appeared at the feeding station didn’t seem to realize there was a Nyger feeder hanging just for them. They simply ignored it and concentrated on drinks of water and bathing. Then, after about a week, one bird, then two found the feeder. The rest is history. The flock is smallish — from 14 to 24 birds. Just as well with the price of the aforementioned Nyger seed.
Hey, this stuff is edible!
A few days later
The aptly named Lesser Goldfinch is our smallest goldfinch with a short tail and wings but a large bill for its size. They have a distinct (but sometimes hard to see in paler birds) white notch at the base of the primaries. As with most colorful birds, they tend to lose their bright breeding plumage in winter but some of the males are quite handsome even now.
Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria), male
Females can vary from pale to bright and lack the black cap of the male.
Lesser Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria), female
Both sexes are yellower in winter than the American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) which can also be found in smaller numbers in Southeast Arizona in winter. I’m still looking.
Do you see an odd bird in this photo? Look at the heads on the left.
PINE SISKIN
It pays to pay attention. It would have been easy to miss this bird amongst the goldfinches. On December 1, the first of two Pine Siskins (Carduelis pinus) visited the thistle feeder and eventually the bird bath. Note their long, pointy bill and overall streakiness. I usually hear Pine Siskins before I see them but these two birds were silent. The small amount of yellow on the wing indicates this bird is a female.
Pine Siskin (Carduelis pinus), female
One uncooperative Pine Siskin!
Leave a Comment