<< Previous Next >>

American Goldfinch


American Goldfinch
Photo Information
Copyright: Mario Belanger (EOSF1) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1381 W: 126 N: 5246] (23469)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-12-08
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/5.6, 1/2500 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-12-01 14:22
Viewed: 629
Points: 26
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [French]
From the archives, an American Goldfinch.

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.
jaycee, eqshannon, Heaven, Juyona, Alex99, eng55, angela926 has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Hi Mario,
Excellent capture of this American Goldfinch with nice pose and composition, great lighting and colours, sharp details.
TFS
Pekka

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2008-12-01 15:18]

Hi Mario,

It must be Goldfinch day! I have never seen one of these here - we only have the "lesser" cousin. The colors of the bird are so beautiful against the deep blue sky. I love the pose on the bare branches.

Jane

Blue and Yellow dominant...interesting. Different style than you normally use...not worse, nor better, just different. I would not have guessed who took this. It appears a bit like something from my Peterson's Field Guide...and beyond that nothing which could be corrected nor detracted..nor nor nor...just different...You are exploring as I ma..and it is showing...
Bob

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1899 W: 36 N: 5579] (18518)
  • [2008-12-01 19:14]

Hi Mario,
Wonderful shot of this Goldfinch in a fine pose. Great pose captured against that fantastic BG and the light is so beautiful. Very neat and sharp image with lovely colours. You have such a fabulous archive to fall back on, I envy you. Excellent DOF, POV and composition.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • Heaven Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 811 W: 108 N: 1736] (6058)
  • [2008-12-01 23:16]

Hi Mario!

This picture is different from your usual style. And it's a pleasure to discover it. I believe it's the blue sky that makes it different. The colour of the bird in front of the sky is beautiful, and I like the fact that the sky is not just blue, but crossed by the blurred lines of some branches. I also appreciate the complete and detailed notes.

Kind regards

Markus

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2262 W: 10 N: 2630] (15565)
  • [2008-12-02 0:27]

Hola Mario,
bellos colores en tu trabajo de hos,
exquisito foco e iluminación...
saludos amigo.

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2172 W: 218 N: 4383] (14902)
  • [2008-12-02 1:07]

Hi Mario

Very beautiful close-up here again from you!
This American Goldfinch looks great and and is shown from a rather interesting and original POV.
This POV is actually the one creating a very nice feel of your photo - making the yellow chest of the bird stand out so well form the beautiful blue sky in the BG.
Great work!

Bravo and TFS
Horia

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2388 W: 94 N: 5521] (17576)
  • [2008-12-02 8:43]

Hello Mario,
Beautiful photo of this Goldfinch in splendid light. Nice contrast in colours. Very sharp and a good POV, DOF and composition.
Regards,
Peter

Merhaba Mario,çok güzel bir artalan ve çok güzel bir kuş.Netlik ve keskinlik harika,ellerine sağlık :)

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3585 W: 143 N: 5669] (18533)
  • [2008-12-02 11:13]

Hi Mario.
I like the shot so much. Its subject is wonderful and colours are sweet. Diagonal composition with amazing bird which is reproduced perfectly is looked very well. Tree branch pattern is very cute and blurred branches on a BG also are decorate the subject very well. Excellent piece of photo art. My best wishes and TFS.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • mariki Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1060 W: 61 N: 2306] (9467)
  • [2008-12-02 11:17]

Bonsoir Mario,

J'aime beaucoup cette photo pour son cadrage. Excellente composition. Très bon angle de vue qui met bien en évidence la gorge jaune de l'oiseau. Superbe éclairage et couleurs bien saturées avec un ciel d'un bleu profond.
Bonne soirée,
Mariki

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1138 W: 32 N: 1161] (3574)
  • [2008-12-02 11:40]

Hi Mario,
Very nice capture of this goldfinch.Colors,details,POV and composition are wonderful.
Thanks for posting.

Hello Amrio,
Great shot, beautiful colors and good clarity, excellent sharpness and depth of field, lovely oof background and great pose.
Angela

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF