Why is the American Goldfinch the state bird of Washington?
When did the American Goldfinch become Washington’s state bird?
What does Washington’s state bird look like?
How are these birds behaving?
Do American Goldfinch Form Communities?
What Do American Goldfinch Eat?
Washington state is known for its many forested areas that attract many birds. It is the 18th largest US state by area and the 13th most populous US state. Washington’s state beast is the Olympic marmot, but what is the state bird?
The state bird is proving to be a bone of contention in Washington state. After more than two decades of voting and debate, the nation chose the American Goldfinch (Thorns) was officially published in 1951. The little canary, also known as the Eastern goldfinch, has a short conical bill and an equally short tail, known for its forks.
Washington’s state bird, the American Goldfinch
Why is the American Goldfinch the state bird of Washington?
Washington State elementary school students have chosen the American Goldfinch as their state bird not once, but twice. It does have stiff competition. The game was played three times, and the Wild Canaries won two out of three.
In 1928, Evergreen State kids voted for the Meadow Pipit. However, the Washington legislature shunned that choice because its geographic neighbor, Oregon, had just chosen the bird as its state bird. The legislature also took note of six other states that also have the meadowpittle as their state bird.
Three years later, the Washington Federation of Women’s Clubs held a second tournament. The American goldfinch beat out the lanternfinch, woodpecker, warbler and western tanager.
For some unknown reason, the legislature failed to act. Finally in 1951, the students voted for the third contest, again choosing the Canary, but this time the Goldfinch won unanimously. The legislature acts to make it official.
Female American Goldfinch, perched on a branch
When did the American Goldfinch become Washington’s state bird?
In 1951, the state of Washington took three legal steps to name its official bird after schoolchildren chose the bird. The Senate passed the bill on March 1, while the House of Representatives passed it on March 6. The governor signed the law into effect on March 19, 1951. The state shares the American Goldfinch as its state bird with New Jersey and Iowa.
A male American Goldfinch eating from a feeder
What does Washington’s state bird look like?
The American Goldfinch is comparable in size to a hummingbird. They grow to about 4.25 inches long and have a wingspan about twice that — 7.5 to 8.7 inches. Their weight is proportional to their length. The smaller of these birds weighed about 0.39 ounces, while the larger specimens weighed up to 0.79 ounces.
Regardless of age, this bright yellow canary remains dainty and small. A yellow spot streaking across the Washington sky certainly indicates that the eastern goldfinch is exploring its territory. No matter what time of year it is, you can easily spot these small birds as they maintain their plumage throughout the season.
The two sexes of the bird are slightly different, with the male canary having a black forehead and beak. He has a yellow chest and upper body, with white feathers on his rump. Her plumage is olive yellow, covering her chest, upper body and rump. Her wing feathers turned brown, as did her tail feathers. Both males and females have pale legs. In winter, males of this species change plumage color to match that of females.
male american goldfinch
How are these birds behaving?
Singing like a canary is a misnomer because only male American goldfinch sing throughout their lives. A female canary will only sing until she has given birth. Once she molts, she stops singing. After birth, the only song heard from the canary’s nest is that of the husband. He usually teaches the chicks to sing. Their birdsong is high-pitched and rapid, a bit like machine guns.
Canaries are not born to sing. These clever birds learn to sing when they are six weeks old, usually from their fathers. If baby birds don’t learn from their parents, they can learn later from another canary or another species — humans. Typically, canaries learn songs from birth until about nine months old. Birds start singing when they are nine months old. This indicates the bird’s mature age.
Before and after mating, canaries hunt, forage and sing. It has been busy with these three days of activity. Eastern goldfinches may forage and hunt with their mates or in small flocks.
A pair of American Goldfinches (female on the left and male on the right)
Do American Goldfinch Form Communities?
The American Goldfinch does live in extended communities with other canaries, other types of finches, and pine finches. They usually fly in flocks. While they are willing to hunt with other birds, when it comes to their family life, they keep everything at home.
Once male and female canaries pair, they stay together for life. Together they build nests and reproduce.
Their nests are made of thistles, milkweed, and other fibrous plants. Mix these with twigs and sticks and they create a home of their own. Once built, they stay there for life. They do not migrate, but prefer habitats that are the same year-round, year-round.
Canaries love big families. They breed up to 3 times per breeding season. Since 2 to 7 eggs are produced per pregnancy, a canary couple could conceivably have 21 children a year. They mate every year.
Each year, their nesting period begins in late June. The earliest it could start is early July. Birds determine that mating season begins when plants are seeded. This creates a rich food source for American goldfinches.
Once the male impregnates the female, she lays her eggs and then hatches them with them. The incubation period takes about two weeks.
Canary couples take care of the babies, feed them, and teach them to forage. Father taught them to sing. Once mature, at nine months of age, they embark on a journey to find their own mate. They sing to attract monogamous mates, build their nests and reproduce. This produces a large canary population.
Non-breeding male American Goldfinch
What Do American Goldfinch Eat?
Canaries love weed seeds. They can be wild seeds, or you can store bird feeders with a seed mix designed for canaries. Their tapered beaks give them a built-in tool for opening thistles and seeds.
These birds are so efficient that they eat seeds in their nest material – niger, thistle seeds, ragweed seeds and sunflower seeds. One of their favorite treats is dandelions.
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I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
