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American Goldfinch


American Goldfinch
Photo Information
Copyright: Mario Belanger (EOSF1) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1298 W: 104 N: 4606] (20485)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-02-21
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 40D, Canon EF 100-400 F4-5.6 L IS USM, ISO 200, B+W 77 010 UV-Haze 1 x
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/640 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-02-29 9:43
Viewed: 611
Points: 36
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [French]
An American Goldfinch (Carduellis tristis, 13 cm) photographed at -20C at the Domaine de Maizerets in Quebec city.

From: www.birds.cornell.edu

A familiar and abundant small colorful bird, the American Goldfinch is frequently found in weedy fields and visiting feeders. It shows a particular fondness for thistles, eating the seeds and using the down to line its nest.
Description
Small bird.
Bill small, pointed, conical, and pink.
Body bright yellow to dull brown.
Wings dark with large white wingbars.
Tail short and notched.
Breeding male bright yellow with black cap and wings.
Size: 11-13 cm (4-5 in)
Wingspan: 19-22 cm (7-9 in)
Weight: 11-20 g (0.39-0.71 ounces)
Sex Differences
Summer male is bright yellow with a black cap whereas female is drab olive. Sexes similar and drab in winter.
Sound
Song a long series of twittering and warbling notes. Common contact call a "tsee-tsi-tsi-tsit," often given in flight. May be described as "per-chic-o-ree" or "po-ta-to-chip."
Conservation Status
Abundant and widespread. Populations appear stable.
Other Names
Chardonneret jaune (French)
Dominiquito viajero, Dominiquito triste (Spanish)
Cool Facts
The American Goldfinch changes from winter plumage to breeding plumage by a complete molt of its body feathers. It is the only member of its family to have this second molt in the spring; all the other species have just one molt each year in the fall.
The American Goldfinch is one of the latest nesting birds. It usually does not start until late June or early July, when most other songbirds are finishing with breeding. The late timing may be related to the availability of suitable nesting materials and seeds for feeding young.
The American Goldfinch is gregarious throughout the year. In winter it is found almost exclusively in flocks. In the breeding season it feeds in small groups. Whether it maintains breeding territories is debatable.
The American Goldfinch is mostly monogamous, but a number of females switch mates after producing a first brood. The first male takes care of the fledglings while the female goes off to start another brood with a different male.
cataclysta, jaycee, Luis52, gerbilratz, MartinL, eqshannon, Jamesp, angela926, Evelynn, CeltickRanger, mariki, albert, goldyrs has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To eqshannon: BudEOSF1 1 02-29 14:23
To eqshannon: BudEOSF1 1 02-29 13:01
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Mario
Very funny and unusual POV. Very cute bird. Beautiful shot, perfect sharpness great colors (beautiful yellow and blue)
I like it very much
Krzysztof

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1015 W: 5 N: 2759] (10010)
  • [2008-02-29 10:08]

Hola Mario.
Bueno, pues la pose e iluminacion lograda aqui son exelentes. La mirada con desden de este Creata de Oro es bella. Alta nitidez y colores suaves.
Saludos Mario
Luis52.

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1691 W: 8 N: 4340] (14113)
  • [2008-02-29 10:10]

Hi Mario,

Thank you so much for your comments on my 300th. I try to learn from your marvelous pictures but I have a long way to go. This Goldfinch is beautiful! Looks like he is very cold and puffed up. He just does not look happy. I love the way he is gripping the branch. As always, beautiful colors and fine details.

Jane

What a lovely "fluffy" finch, great pose and n excellent POV...great feather details and sharp features..TFS

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 937 W: 5 N: 2456] (9197)
  • [2008-02-29 10:34]

Salut Mario,je suis ici pour les 2 point merite' du jours,cette fois le details des plumes est extraordinaire,merci de partager et bonne journee',Luciano

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1904 W: 4 N: 5177] (19726)
  • [2008-02-29 10:55]

Hi Mario. It must be the POV because this little one looks so fat and big.It may just be its feathers. you have captured good detail and colours. I like the way he is looking down oat you. well done TFS. good notes too.
Nick..
Have a good weekend.

Mario,

Excellent capture. Great colors and amazing sharpness! You present the smallest birds in an extraordinary way. Great work!

Regards,

Martin

a nice somewhat dramatic angle, giving the bird a look as he is much bigger than in real life and is that a new bud I see on the tree?
Bob

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1218 W: 0 N: 4657] (13840)
  • [2008-02-29 14:47]

Hi Mario

Lovely shot - great detail and colours.

James

Hello Mario,
Great capture of this cute fluffy bird, excellent composition and pov, superb colors and clarity, great details and the dof is perfect.I l;ove the pose!
angela

This is an unusual point of view. This little fluff ball looks cold. Wonderful detail and color.

TFS
Evelynn : )

salut Mario

très belle photo de ce Chardonneret jaune, comme d'habitude
excellent luminosité de ton image, excellente netteté & détails,
j'aimes ton POV et aussi ton cadrage car le POV en contre-plongé, TFS

Asbed

Bonjour Mario,

Très belle photo de ce chardonneret, bonne composition. Il a les plumes toutes gonflées pour se protéger du froid. Très bonne netteté et superbes couleurs.
Bon week-end,
Mariki

Hi Mario,
Nice capture of this freezing bird!
True colors, sharp details and good BG too
Well done
Albert

Mario,
Fantastic shot of my favorite bird, excellent sharpness and good depth of field, beautiful vivid colors and very good composition.
TFS & Cheers!
Goldy

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2381 W: 164 N: 7153] (22602)
  • [2008-03-01 12:37]

Hello Mario,
This one looks really cold the way it has fluffed up its feathers. Lovely capture, great sharpness and very fine colours of the plumage. A beautiful background too i this excellent composition.
TFS and regards, Ulla

Eccellente composizione, dettagli e colori straordinari. Molto, molto ...... bella. Complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

Superbe, en effet il a l'air d'avoir froid, quele netteté onvoit même le reflet sur sonbec, la composition est très belesl les couleurs très naturelles, encore une grande réussite.
Bravo
Marie

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