My Pretty Goldfinches

 I am linking up my  post with Wild Bird Wednesday and Nature Notes

First I am wishing all my blogging friends a very HAPPY & HEALTHY NEW YEARS!!

This post is on one of Maryland residents the American Goldfinch. I see the goldfinches in my yard year round. The adult breeding male is a beautiful canary yellow in the summer and in the winter an olive color.

  First, I have the beautiful summertime canary yellow American Goldfinch. The male attracts the female during the breeding season with his brightly colored plumage.

 The American Goldfinch is the only finch in its family that goes thru a complete molt. As you can see above they love to feed on seeds.

 And above is a winter male, you can see some of the black forehead showing thru the winter feathers. This could possibly be a juvenile male. The female is a darker olive brown which brightens slightly during the summer.


Some of these photos you might have seen or look similar to ones I posted on previous post.  I wanted to show the huge difference between a breeding summer goldfinch compared to the duller olive colored goldfinch I  see here in the winter. They are still a treat to see and one of my favorite yardbirds.


To see more beautiful and wonderful bird photos please visit:
 Stewart's Wild Bird Wednesday and Michelle's  Nature Notes.
Thanks to Stewart for hosting Wild Bird Wednesday and thanks to Michelle for hosting Nature Notes.
I wish everyone a happy week ahead and Happy Birding!