Goldfinch Gallivantings

We have three kinds of birds that visit our feeder: (1) year-round residents who come most every day for a snack, (2) year-round residents who periodically come and go, and (3) migrants who we see either temporarily residing here through the summer or winter, or just passing through in the spring or fall.

American goldfinches fall into the middle category above: we may see them visit the feeder at all times of the year, but only for few days. A flock of them will hang around for a while and then disappear for a few weeks—to return again. (At least I believe I'm seeing the return of the same group, although it's possible that I'm seeing a new flock of finches each time.)

I call the goldfinch a "periodic" resident, because it doesn't leave for Central America for the winter or head north to Canada for the summer. We'll see them at all times of the year, but, as I wrote above, it has the interesting habit of hanging around the feeder for a few weeks, and then disappearing for a month or so. Goldfinches engage in what ornithologists call "irregular seasonal movements," which finds them roaming in groups—their current territory being determined by the availability of the food supply they find there.

Okay, so they are resident roamers. That fits my experience, as I see them come and go from time to time. But why leave for a spell, apparently seeking new sources of food, when I put seed out all year long? The other regulars at the feeder dine on the continuously-offered sunflower seeds—supplementing them with bugs; a good source of protein. Do the goldfinches get tired of sunflower seeds and wish to change their diet occasionally? I could buy special finch food (they love thistles), that might entice them to hang around, but that option gets kind of pricey for my wallet.

Ornithologists have a difficult time tracking the roaming habits of any type of songbird—especially the little guys like goldfinches. Most any radio tracking device is too heavy for them to carry around, so their roaming habits are not yet well understood. (Although this is another ornithological barrier about to be cracked, as new, ultralight transmitters have been developed and are being deployed.) Thus, I have no idea where our finches go when they depart, how far they roam, or even if the group we see is the same one. When I see a flock appear at the feeder, I wonder if it is old friends returning or new visitors coming in for a temporary feed. Maybe I'll figure this out before long.

It's another one of those mysteries you constantly encounter, when you come to observe closely the natural world's goings on. If you don't take the time to watch, you rarely notice these intriguing details, and you're unlikely to become interested enough to ask the questions that occur to you, once you do begin to pay attention. When I observe closely, I find that many questions begin forming a long queue in my head. I love it! It's what adds endless interest to my life, way out here in the woods.