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VTBIRD for Thursday, January 3, 2002
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Subject: Re: Breeding plumage goldfinch
From: "Walter G. Ellison" <wgellison(AT)earthlink.net>
Date: 3 Jan 2002 10:13am
Hi All,
I just wanted to make a couple of points about Kim's comment on goldfinch
molt. Although you can make an educated guess you still cannot be sure which
way a bird is molting unless you get it into your hand and look carefully at
its plumage. In terms of molt theory it is much more likely these birds are
cases of suspended autumnal molt rather than advanced spring molt. The
environmental cues and food supply are simply not there for growing new
feathers near the Winter Solstice. We have had a few males still sporting
black "foreheads" throughout December and we had a female still in pre-basic
(autumnal) molt (showing sheaths on head feathers) last week at our feeder.
I am curious why so many of these birds are supending molt this year, or
have I just missed the phenomenon in prior years? It blew my mind to see
Mike's photo, what's a "summer canary' doing in the dead of winter? Surely
he gains no mating advantage from such showy plumage at this time of year.
Best,
Walter Ellison
3 Winding Brook Drive #1E
Guilderland, NY 12084
518-456-6224
"...[A] person who is looking for something doesn't travel very fast" - E.
B. White
Kim Likakis wrote:
> Very interesting, Mike, because we looked out this morning and also saw a
> male goldfinch clearly on the way to molting out to summer plumage
> (although not as far along as this one).
>
> Kim L.
> Bennington
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: Breeding plumage goldfinch
From: Kim Likakis <lockp38(AT)sover.net>
Date: 3 Jan 2002 12:57pm
Walter et al,
Yup, Walter is correct; much better to have said about the goldfinch that
my thoughts were clearly an educated guess rather than "clearly" on the way
to a molt.
My first reaction to the bird was that it was a late winter molt. He was
probably 75% winter-plumaged, including a completely winterized head. The
bird was only brightly-plumaged in the body in the general rump area, but
what was there was spectacular: sharply demarcated and electric yellow,
looking extremely fresh and tight and unlike (to me) even any August male
I'd remembered seeing. It was this quality of plumage that caused me to
rethink a late molt but which resulted in what really was a snap judgment.
Incidentally, the picture of Mike's bird blew my mind as well and I can't
remember ever seeing such plumaged males this time of year.
Kim L.
Bennington
------------------------------------
>
>I just wanted to make a couple of points about Kim's comment on goldfinch
>molt. Although you can make an educated guess you still cannot be sure which
>way a bird is molting unless you get it into your hand and look carefully at
>its plumage. In terms of molt theory it is much more likely these birds are
>cases of suspended autumnal molt rather than advanced spring molt. The
>environmental cues and food supply are simply not there for growing new
>feathers near the Winter Solstice. We have had a few males still sporting
>black "foreheads" throughout December and we had a female still in pre-basic
>(autumnal) molt (showing sheaths on head feathers) last week at our feeder.
>I am curious why so many of these birds are supending molt this year, or
>have I just missed the phenomenon in prior years? It blew my mind to see
>Mike's photo, what's a "summer canary' doing in the dead of winter? Surely
>he gains no mating advantage from such showy plumage at this time of year.
>
>Best,
>
> Walter Ellison
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Goldfinch
From: Michael Blust <BlustM(AT)greenmtn.edu>
Date: 3 Jan 2002 3:38pm
Walter - Thanks for the feedback on the gold goldfinch. I was suspecting a
lack of autumnal molt, but was not sure how common that was. The bird has
been at my feeders since I returned from the holidays. I had not seen it at
my feeders prior to the holidays. I was loath to include a picture to
vtbird, but was stunned when I saw it in my yard and thought that the
picture said it best.
Mike Blust blustm(AT)greenmtn.edu
Prof. of Biology Office: 802-287-8331
Green Mountain College Home: 802-287-9981
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: FW: Ludlow
From: Wayne Scott <wsscottnh(AT)earthlink.net>
Date: 3 Jan 2002 4:37pm
Here's a request to which I can not do justice. Anyone out there who can
help? Please respond directly to Will. Thanks.
------ Forwarded Message
From: Will Cox <willc(AT)channel1.com>
Date: Thu, 03 Jan 2002 14:43:11 -0800
To: wsscottnh(AT)earthlink.net
Subject: Ludlow
Hi Wayne,
I'm a birder from Boston who just participated in the Christmas Bird Count!
Exciting stuff!!
I'm planning to visit Ludlow, VT (Okemo Resort) in the next month or two.
I was wondering if you could recommend good birding spots within a 1/2 hour
of that area.
Thanks!
-Will
Will Cox
Boston, MA
------ End of Forwarded Message
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Subject: FW: Varied Thrush
From: Wayne Scott <wsscottnh(AT)earthlink.net>
Date: 3 Jan 2002 6:35pm
Hello Birders,
This note was forwarded to me and I=B9ve been a little slow following up
on it. I did talk to Lucy today and she confirms that the bird continues to
be a regular visitor. Unofficially, there are at least 6 records during the
90=B9s. This is a nice bird (unconfirmed so far, but the details sound
convincing), so if you haven=B9t seen it, Lucy and Ronald are happy to share
it!
Wayne Scott
Compiler, VT Rare Bird Alert
416 Hanover Center Road
Etna, NH 03750
(603) 643-0179
wsscottnh(AT)earthlink.net
vtbirder(AT)hotmail.com
> I've received a very detailed report of a Varied Thrush in Sutton, Vermon=
t.
> First seen on December 19, it was reported to me by Lucy Trembley on Dece=
mber
> 24. She and her husband Ronald live just outside of Sutton village on t=
he
> West Burke Road. She described all of the field marks of the bird, repor=
ted
> that they had taken pictures (copies of which she said she will deliver t=
o me)
> and would welcome birders to see it. Phone number is (802) 467-3069. =
She
> reported that it was at their feeder, eating dried fruits from a fruit an=
d
> seed commercial mix. She described it as a probable first year male, b=
ased
> on the incomplete chevron on the chest.
>=20
> I have seen and reported this species in the Northeast Kingdom in winter =
about
> four years ago, so I was able to elicit details from her.
>=20
> Check it out!
>=20
> Charles C. Browne, Executive Director
>=20
> The Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium
> 1302 Main Street=20
> St. Johnsbury Vermont 05819
> (802) 748-2372=20
> Fax: (802) 748-1893
> CharlesBrowne(AT)hotmail.com
> charlie.browne(AT)connriver.net
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Subject: Barred Owl
From: GeorgeLisi(AT)cs.com
Date: 3 Jan 2002 8:15pm
A Barred Owl landed on a limb of the huge tamarack outside my window today.
Checking out the feeder chickadees, (who seemed unconcerned), swiveling and
peering like a wise old cat and shifting on the branch with its beautiful
yellow feet.
George Lisi, Lincoln
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Subject: birding trip Sunday
From: mike winslow <mjwinslo(AT)zoo.uvm.edu>
Date: 3 Jan 2002 10:37pm
Otter Creek Audubon is hosting a birding trip Sunday January 6 from
10-12:30. Anyone interested should plan to meet in the Illsley Library
parking lot in downtown Middlebury.
--
Michael, Kira and Cedar Winslow
Weybridge, VT
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