What bird heralds the arrival of Spring for you?
The song of an American Robin signaled the arrival of spring back in Illinois where I grew up. Here in the Pacific NW, Robins are residents that sometimes sing in late winter. The arrival of swallows and vultures marks the change in our seasons. First the Tree, then the Violet-green Swallows arrive, flying erratically as they chase insects over water bodies and open fields. Soon afterward, the first Turkey Vultures appear high in the sky in their wavering, dihedral flight. Ospreys won’t be far behind.
To me, though, the definitive transition to spring occurs when the American Goldfinch suddenly, dramatically morphs into a different, much brighter plumage. During fall and winter, Goldfinches blend into flocks of Pine Siskins and House Finches in their subdued brownish/gold tones. Seemingly overnight near the first of April, they molt into their gleaming lemon-yellow plumage, sharply contrasted by black wings and a black cap. It’s as if they turned on a light bulb inside to project their brilliant new image to the avian world. It is absolutely stunning!
When this happens, spring is imminent. American Goldfinches molt into their breeding plumage when they can reasonably expect to have mild weather and abundant food – in their case, seeds.
The bright yellow, especially in males, is a product of overlapping yellow-tipped feathers that are white at their base. The yellow tips not only reflect external light, but also reflect from the white base below. According to David Sibley in his book What It’s Like to Be a Bird “The feathers of a goldfinch essentially form a translucent yellow film with backlighting.” This ingenious combination amplifies their yellow color, giving them a radiant appearance. Come fall, they go through their second annual molt into a soft blend of brown, gold and black.
Charismatic birds like the American Goldfinch often become State Bi
rds.
New Jersey, Iowa and Washington State have all chosen them as their state’s feathered icon. Apparently when Washington was selecting its state bird in 1951, Western Meadowlark was the runner-up. It had already been chosen by six other states, including nearby Montana, Wyoming and Oregon. Therefore, our state’s legislators opted for a more distinctive bird, the Goldfinch, a species that can be found year-round in every part of our state.
American Goldfinches are seed-eaters that prefer weedy, unkempt fields and over-grown areas. You can hear their “potato-chip” or “per-chick-a-ree” calls as they fly in a bouncy manner across the sky. It would be hard to imagine a brighter or cheerier spring ambassador.
