Thursday, February 19, 2009

American Goldfinch

We've also got some American Goldfinches mixed in with the huge crowd of Pine Siskins. Yesterday I noticed this little guy on the deck with the other birds. It took me a moment to realize what was wrong. Can you spot the problem?

American Goldfinch



American Goldfinch


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If you look carefully, you'll see that his right foot is curled into a ball. He can not spread it out. He hopped along fairly well and was able to grasp a seed from the deck and the tray, but I imagine he would have problems perching on a branch or even on a feeder.
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4 comments:

  1. Cassie2/20/2009 1:08 AM

    Poor little guy. Do you suppose he will survive the winter?

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  2. joated2/20/2009 7:30 AM

    So far, so good. He has all these bird feeders to fall back on for easy food. He's got a month to get out of winter. Competition for a mate, clinging to tall grass stalks seeking insects and seed, however, might prove more difficult.

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  3. Shelley2/20/2009 4:25 PM

    Poor little thing! (Do you think its a female?) I noticed my males are starting to get their color back the last couple weeks. Thought that would mean an early spring among the other signs I've seen - but I'm wrong as we're expect 5+ inches tomorrow!

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  4. JihadGene2/22/2009 9:20 PM

    Hope he makes it! I'm putting out more bird feed.

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