Morning Bird Pic

[sleigh]

MBP: The goldfinches are getting duller and duller in color as winter approaches. The brilliant gold of the males has been packed away for the season.

Comments

[mindyklasky.livejournal.com]

Wow - I'd never seen/thought about colors dulling with the season. It makes sense -- why risk predator attention when you're no longer trying to attract a mate? Do you know if the birds re-fledge during the fall? Or do the existing feathers fade?

[sleigh.livejournal.com]

Mindy -- I'm by no means a ornithology expert, but I believe the goldfinches re-fledge seasonally. It's not the feathers fading, but being replaced.