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Re: brighter goldfinch



Norman Budnitz wrote:
Goldfinches don't actually MOLT into brighter colors from now into
spring.  Those nice yellows are actually due to feather WEAR.  Lots of
surprises out there in nature!
You know, my first thought yesterday was to post exactly this same
answer myself, but I decided to do some research first.  Although many
birds acquire their bright breeding colors through the wearing off of
the dull feather tips that provide winter colors, apparently American
Goldfinches do indeed have a full pre-alternate molt of the contour
feathers, although not of flight feathers.  I have a copy of Dwight's
classic book on passerine molts that confirms this.  A Google search on
"goldfinch molt" turned up http://biology.queensu.ca/~amymac/research.htm
which reports "The American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) is unique
among Cardueline finches for its spring molt in which birds achieve
brighter breeding plumage."

--
Kent Fiala
near Chapel Hill, NC