Today’s guest blogger is Wenatchee-based photographer Bruce McCammon, featuring many of his images of American goldfinch. Thank you, Bruce!

During this sixth week of staying-at-home, I became mindful of the American goldfinches’ cheerful songs and all-day chatter that filled my neighborhood’s airspace. How appropriate that our Washington state bird is offering us metaphorical encouragement to stay the course. Next time you are outside, take a few minutes to watch them fly, feed, perch, and interact with one another, all without having to abide by social distancing requirements!

American goldfinch are small active finches, five-inches long from bill tip to tail tip. The adult male is eye-catching with a lemon yellow body and black cap (above, at left). Overall, the adult female (above, at right) is drabber with a paler yellowish body. Right now, both are in breeding plumage which includes a orange/pinkish bill color. They have a distinctive bounding “U-shaped” flight pattern with alternating wing flaps to go up and then gliding to go down. Listen for their distinctive contact call during the upward flight, sounding like “potato chip, potato chip.”

They are year-round residents in our part of Washington, and across much of central and eastern U.S. Watch this eBird Abundance video to see how the species moves and migrates during one year’s time. And, take advantage of Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s online field guide to see American goldfinch photos and listen to sound clips.

American goldfinches are seed-eaters, favoring seeds of Sunflower family plants like thistles. Year-round, they eat a large variety of seed types from grasses to trees like birch, alder, and cedar. In spring, they feed on buds, bark, sap, and even aphids. I’ve been watching them gleaning in aspen, western red cedar, and maple trees in my yard. They are gregarious and always in groups as they fly, feed, and perch all day long. .

American goldfinch nest later than most songbirds, between late May to August in our area. Fibers from milkweed and thistle seeds are used, and these aren’t available until summer. Nests are placed near the top of a deciduous shrub or small tree, at the edge of a small clearing. While the male guards, the female builds the nest, starting by connecting small twigs with spider web silk. Next, plant fibers and roots are added to build a compact cup. The last stage is weaving a soft lining of fibers, from milkweeds and sunflower family plants. Nests are positioned in the shade, so often easy to see by a person looking up from the ground.

This coming week, I’m going to continue to rely on these cheery sociable songbirds to remind me that we need to continue to socially isolate in order to protect the health of all people in our community. Stay home, wear a mask when you go out, and listen for “potato chip” calls overhead!

Bruce McCammon retired from the US Forest Service after 37 years of working as a wildland hydrologist. He retired from a second career as a wedding photographer to concentrate on bird photography.  He and Dianne moved to Wenatchee in August, 2015.  Bruce is on the board of North Central Washington Audubon Society and the creator of the poster “Common Birds of North Central Washington”.  He contributes a monthly article about birds to The Good Life magazine and is the author of “Bird Tales – 100 Photo Essays” which was published in 2019.  Watch one of his bird-themed video programs on the WVMCC website here.