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Re: Goldfinch "songfest"



A visitor to Beidler Forest noted the same phenomenon in downtown
Charleston, SC this morning.
Ann Shahid
Charleston, SC
----- Original Message -----
From: "Donna Slyce Bailey" <dsbailey@conterra.com>
To: <carolinabirds@duke.edu>
Sent: Monday, April 01, 2002 10:02 PM
Subject: Goldfinch "songfest"


>
> Josh Rose and Mr. Krucke are describing a familiar phenomenon of Carduelis
> socializing.  I've had the same thing happen several times in the spring.
> I've had literally hundreds of Goldfinches all parked in the two larger
oaks
> in the front yard here, all singing at the top of their collective lungs.
> I've also seen/heard the Pine Siskins do it a time or two, as well.  Bent,
> in an entry on "Eastern Goldfinch" (Spinus tristis, which I presume was
> later renamed as American Goldfinch and the Latin name was changed to
> Carduelis tristis), quotes Burroughs, "...the courting begins.  All the
> goldfinches of a neighborhood collect together and hold a sort of a
musical
> festival.  To the number of many dozens they may be seen in some large
tree,
> all singing and calling in the most joyous and vivacious manner...Whether
> there is actual competition on a trial of musical abilities of the males
> before the females or not, I do not know.  The best of feeling seems to
> pervade the company; there is no sign of quarreling or fighting..."
Because
> Goldfinches breed so late in the summer (I've had fledgling Goldfinches at
> the feeders in August and not before August), I don't know if it really is
> courting or simply a songfest for the Goldfinches and Siskins.  I do know
> when the Goldfinches have done it around here, it is always a simply
> ravishing spring day and in addition to the euphonious din of Goldfinch
> song, the multitude of birds in their sunshine yellow plumage in the trees
> is a lovely sight.
> Donna Slyce Bailey
> Winnsboro, SC
>
> e-mail: dsbailey@conterra.com
>
> URL: http://www.conterra.com/dsbailey
>      "Where are the Birds?  Migration across South Carolina"
>