For most songbirds, the job of raising young is over. Their hatchlings have literally flown the coop. You may have noticed some birds that look a bit different or are a bit plainer than their parents; or speckled, or some other giveaway that they are this year’s babies. They can be seen often at feeders, introducing their young to the seeds and suet offered.
But American goldfinch never got the memo. They are just now nesting.
“Goldfinches are pretty much the last nesters, and I’m sure one of the reasons for that is the greater abundance of mature seeds they prefer, especially thistle,” said Jay Wright, Metroparks Toledo director of conservation science. “I think they’re just getting started with most egg-laying occurring in August.
“Other birds that will do multiple broods going into August are robins and mourning doves, and a number of birds will still feed their fledglings through July and into early August.”
The goldfinch, above, was photographed by Art Weber, Metroparks Toledo nature photographer.
