Why do finches change color

Molt is the process of feather replacement. All birds do it; they have to grow new feathers once or twice a year to stay warm, dry, and airborne, and in many cases they grow differently colored feathers at different seasons to match their surroundings or to impress others of their species.

Among the small songbirds, virtually all species have a complete molt replacing all of their feathers in late summer, and in addition many species have a partial molt replacing some of the body feathers but not the wing or tail feathers in the spring.

American Goldfinch follows this pattern. Beginning in September, and continuing for six to eight weeks, they molt all of their feathers, ending up with a completely new and pristine set of feathers and drab colors as they head into the winter. In the spring, as they grow new body feathers the males especially transform into bright yellow breeding plumage, but the wing and tail feathers remain from the previous fall. As these wing feathers get older the pale buff edges fade to white and disintegrate, so that by the end of the summer the wings look essentially all black.

And in September another complete molt begins. Use the arrow buttons or swipe on a phone to move back and forth through the months, and see what other patterns you can notice. I showed it to my adult school birding class and they absolutely loved it.

We all think that molt sequences like this should be included in the next update of your iPhone, iPad app, as well as your next edition of the printed guides…. Thanks again for a great job! Matt — great job. Such a stunning looking Finch!

David, This post is brilliant. I love watching the wing feathers come in and then wear down. Thank you. You inspire me in both my art and observation. Very helpful, I was just wondering about this! David, as I cursor through the images in a slideshow format, I see what looks like 2 or three base images probably arranged in layers, and a series of photoshop masks between them used to reveal intermediate colors and patterns between them.

Is that how you created the monthly steps in the year-long molt series? Thanks, Matthew. David, I have been a city girll all my life moved to the county just 6 years ago first thing that attracted me was all the beautiful birds. Transcript: This is BirdNote! The sweet, jumbled song of a House Finch is a familiar sound across much of the country.

House Finches eat many kinds of seeds and fruits. They readily flock to backyard feeders, and their short, thick bills are perfectly designed for hulling sunflower seeds at a brisk pace. Female House Finches are brown and heavily streaked overall, while males typically sport a red rump, breast, and headband.

But a careful look at male House Finches at the feeder shows that, while most males show red feathering, some are decidedly more orange — and some even yellow.

Adult males in spring and early summer are bright yellow with black forehead, black wings with white markings, and white patches both above and beneath the tail. Adult females are duller yellow beneath, olive above. Winter birds are drab, unstreaked brown, with blackish wings and two pale wingbars. Male finches have brighter colored markings than females. Males can have brightly colored cheek patches and breast bars, and also may have spots on their flanks.

Not really purple, more of an old-rose color is the male Purple Finch. This species is common in the North and East, and along the Pacific seaboard, but it is very rare in much of the Rocky Mountains region. Purple Finches feed up in trees and on the ground in open woods. Generally, the symbolism of the finch is an indication of liveliness, exuberance, and enthusiasm in your life. They are free and happy and are unconcerned with what is considered the acceptable norm.

The finch symbol is thought to be an omen of exciting and joyful times on our horizon, so take the time to relax a little and be open to the great times to be had. Goldfinches will enjoy well-thought-out backyard bird habitats, but in particular, they are attracted to fields and meadows where they can find the thistle, dandelion, ragweed, and other natural plants they love.