Monday, May 19, 2008

Yellow fellow

Gold finch on feeder.Gold finch, my backyard, Friday, May 16.

I was home sick on Friday with a sinus infection (I'm much better now, thank you), and was able to snap a photo of this guy on the nyjer seed feeder.

Gold finches are skittish by nature. This guy was nervous, I think, because he sensed that I was close by. My guess is this attitude comes from the way they feed. They like to come in and hang on the feeder a good while and get their fill. This makes them more vulnerable to predators.

Chickadees and hummingbirds are much smaller, but also much braver around people. Probably because their method of feeding is more hit and run -- they come in, grab what they want, and leave.

When it gets warmer, and I spend more time out in the backyard, the finches gather in the tree above the feeder and implore me to leave. I try not to take it personally.

3 comments:

Wayfaring Wanderer said...

I love these little guys.......I walked out my front door the other day where 4 of them were perched on a broken pile of branches....I walked by and they didn't move!?!?

Just Roaming The Cities said...

Good shot--You're right, they are hard to get with Goldfinches. I'd never be able to get one where I live! Glad you're feeling better!

lv2scpbk said...

Beautiful yellow bird.