It was an American Goldfinch day at Sandy Hook. It was as if Mother Nature had turned on a switch during the first day in November. There must have been dozens if not hundreds of American Goldfinches along the edge of a maritime forest not far from the rolling waves of the Atlantic Ocean.
At first sight, though, these little birds didn't appear much like goldfinches. Gone were the vibrant colors of ebony, gold, and lemon-yellow. Typical colors found on an American Goldfinch during the summer. These birds were in faded, drab plumage. The feathers were buff yellowish-brown to gray with black wings and light blond wing bars.
It was as if the American Goldfinches were saying we fooled you! They were in their less colorful winter plumage. What an intense change. The birds lost much of the brilliant color we normally identify with goldfinches.
Yet, the small, slim spirited birds were still a pleasure to watch. The air was filled with these "wild canaries" flying around from plant to plant in sunny weedy meadows.
The American Goldfinch is the official bird of New Jersey. It was designated as the official state bird on June 27, 1935. No one is quite sure why state politicians decided on the goldfinch, as opposed to other birds, like Blue Jays, Cardinals, or even Bald Eagles. Perhaps it was due to the finches' beautiful breeding plumage or because of their sweet varied mating songs. I like to think it was thanks to the American Goldfinch being a strict vegetarian. The American Goldfinch is a species of bird that exclusively eats vegetable matter, almost solely on seeds from sunflowers, thistle, and aster plants, grasses, and trees. No animal protein or insects, except by accident.
The birds were certainly hungry the other day at Sandy Hook. They were all foraging on composite plant seeds. Their favorite of the day seemed to be from Golden Asters. The plant's yellow daisy-like flowers had recently succumbed to the frosty nights around Sandy Hook Bay and New York Harbor. That didn't seem to bother the finches. Their flexible bodies easily balanced on minute seed heads to feed on a few seeds from each plant. Somehow they knew the weeds were in seed.
The pickings must have been good. Flocks of other birds were seen near the goldfinches, including House Finches, various sparrows, and several Cedar Waxwings. Each one feeding energetically and flying off swiftly, as if they all were getting ready for something important.
No doubt, the birds were all fattening up for the winter. Food is the most essential element, providing birds with the energy, stamina and nutrition they need during winter.
In fall many birds molt their feathers and grow a new thicker plumage to offer some protection against the cold. The birds will also gain weight or fat to help them keep warm throughout winter. At the same time, the birds are active and on the move to beat harsh winter weather and frosty temperatures. All of this commotion requires energy that comes from a rich assortment of foods.
Come fall, many American Goldfinches will leave their breeding territories and head south for the winter. Nonetheless, the current winter range of the American Goldfinch is extensive and includes southern Canada, the entire United States, and down to eastern Mexico. At times, especially in the northern range, the goldfinches might flock near backyard bird feeders to find a quick and easy meal.
I have no idea if some or all of the American Goldfinches I observed the other day at Sandy Hook will stay around for the winter. As long as there is food, I suspect there will be a few. In fact, there is always a number of goldfinches that can be found throughout New York and New Jersey throughout the winter.
If you want to help the American Goldfinch endure another winter in and around the Garden State, you may wish to install a backyard bird feeder. Along with clean, freshwater, Goldfinches prefer nyjer (thistle) seed. If you want to observe a handful of goldfinches on your property, try hanging a bag of njer seeds in your yard.
The more you see them, the more you will love them. The birds are like little flying sunbeams.
For more information, pictures and year-round sightings of wildlife in or near Sandy Hook Bay, Raritan Bay, and Lower New York Bay, please check out my blog entitled, Nature on the Edge of New York City at http://natureontheedgenyc.blogspot.com/
