Another in my irregular series on the ‘common’ species.
Because they’re common, or if you prefer – abundant, some species don’t get the attention they deserve from bird photographers, birders and others. The American Goldfinch is high on that list, especially when the males aren’t in their flashy breeding plumage.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Two days ago near Farmington Bay WMA this female (gray bill instead of pinkish bill) came in so close I could barely fit her in frame. I usually prefer my birds further away than this because when they’re this close depth of field becomes an issue so it’s very difficult to get all or even most of the bird sharp. But for a moment she turned broadside to me which pretty much solved that problem. Because she’s filling the frame I had almost no wiggle room for cropping and composition.
I often wonder where we’d be without the common species. We tend to pay far more attention to those species we see much less often and ignore flocks of abundant birds like goldfinches, blackbirds, certain sparrows, finches and others.
But which would we miss more if they were gone – a species we see almost every day or some ‘prized’ species we rarely see? I can’t speak for others but for me the clear answer would be the former. When it comes to birds I believe there’s more than a sliver of truth to the old adage “familiarity breeds contempt”. Or at least less respect.
It’s a tragic fact that birds around the world are in decline. When I hear the words to this song I often think of birds instead of some about-to-be lost lover.
But then I’m a bird photographer and an old fart to boot.
Ron
After reading your post I looked out to see “our” American Goldfinches at the feeders and damned if they haven’t disappeared overnight. I swear they were there yesterday….perhaps I didn’t look long enough, plus I noticed a Cooper’s Hawk skulking in the nearby birch tree.
A question: Sibley seems to show both sexes with gray beaks in nonbreeding plumage?
Yup, that Coop might have had something to do with it.
My Sibley, “The Sibley Guide to Birds” second edition shows (and labels) adult nonbreeding male goldfinches with “pinkish bills” and adult nonbreeding females with “gray bills”.
My new word for all my White crowned sparrows…. abundant 😁
🙂
I’ll be succinct and say, “Ditto,” to everything Laura and EC said. And also thank you, Ron for introducing me to KHS’ channel!
They’re pretty darned good aren’t they, Marty.
Ok, I just have to comment on the link to that song….it’s brilliant! The hand and cup percussion, the hand/eye coordination, the tight harmonies….
just as wowing as the wee Goldfinch! Thanks for including that, Ron! ;-D
I’m glad someone enjoyed it, Karen. I like it for the very same reasons you mention.
EC I often think we’re sisters of another mother! I echo what you said, and harken back to yesterday’s “devolvng” comment, and yes, we are!
Ron, we might be siblings of another mother, too. I agree wholeheartedly about the abundant species. They often delight my heart, but then, they’re birds (critters) so ’nuff said!
I often think that it’s not a bad thing that I’m a geezer now on the basis that I won’t have to see this beautiful Earth decimated a whole bunch more–or at least I hope I don’t. There’s still time for humans to make it happen in my lifetime 🙁
And you’re hearing the “common” versus “abundant” discussion, too! Trust me, Mariah says it’s “abundant” and, wise old hag that she is, she KNOWS these things 😉
Ha, we’ve had this ‘discussion’ about common vs abundant before, Laura. I think we both know where the other stands… 🙂
She is a subtle charmer. I am endlessly grateful for our ‘common’ birds – which like your common birds are exciting exotica to others.
I delight in seeing some of the rarer birds too but sadly often when I do see them it is because conditions in their preferred habitat are less than ideal. And sadly those less than ideal conditions can often be laid firmly at our door.
I hear you on the invasive species too, but sadly their encroachment on other bird’s territory is (yet again) something we are often responsible for. (I say responsible, but irresponsible is closer to the mark).
You make a good point about the reason we sometimes see unusual or rare birds, EC.
I remember seeing my first one here in NM. I was thrilled.
Good!
Beautiful light and colors. I have a lot of goldfinches this year in my yard, they will stay year round. I don’t take anything for granted I even adore house sparrows.
I’ll admit it, April. I have a hard time appreciating House Sparrows. Or European Starlings. Or Eurasian Collared Doves. I admire them because they’re birds but I don’t appreciate them being ‘here’ (which isn’t their fault).
Although I have logged over 180 species in the Wounded Wetlands next to our south Florida home, most days it is the same bunch of 20 or so bird species, depending on the season. My song would be “Old MacDonald Had a Farm,” as he only had about as many critters as could fit into his 5 minute song. One of my favorite “common” birds is the Blue Jay, not only because of its beauty, but also because I often find it difficult to get one in a perfect pose. They seem so alert and savvy that they know when that big “eye” is pointed at them. (My blog today features an elusive furry addition to the day’s list).
Addendum to Kenneth’s comment added by Ron. For those who may be interested here’s the link to Kenneth’s blog post today.
https://rosy-finch.blogspot.com/2020/11/finding-furry-and-feathered-fauna.html?fbclid=IwAR0FTdm77NVmlfd7GqWGlqTsVNmvT5d-3W6uF19CGBnmesuawDrwghUWylw
Well, Blue Jays being corvids they’re almost expected to be “alert and savvy”. And frustrating for the photographer. But as others have pointed out, common species are different depending on where we are. I’d love more chances with Blue Jays. I’ve only photographed one.. Ever.
Beautiful Coyote in addition to the varied birds – the are NEVER that red here…..😀
So true Ron, and a beautiful Goldfinch. When I am out I am first looking for our eagles, and then the various raptors, and then the swans, wadding birds, the shore birds, and then finally the common birds. Last night right before dinner I was taking photos of a beautiful adult Cooper’s Hawk on our back fence eating a small bird that he had killed. Most likely a house finch since we have an abundance of them outback. But no matter how common our backyard birds are I appreciate being able to see them everyday.
Thanks, Everett. I don’t mean to sound preachy. I have to watch myself or I can be guilty of taking common species for granted too.
Pretty! Common here in summer only. That being said a week ago we had a couple trying to find thistle remains in the feeder not taken down yet – surprised as they are “never” here this time of year. Hopefully they got on their way to warmer climes – haven’t noticed them in a few days. It IS easy to ignore the common species in summer here – not so much this time of year when there are fewer birds in general…….😉
Judy, it was a real treat for us to see goldfinches on the Montana farm. We didn’t see them often.
A few days ago, I heard our returning goldfinches for the first time. Yesterday, I saw my first: a colorful male, and beautiful as could be. The thistle feeder’s up now, and with luck I’ll coax a few to visit. I’ll start watching for them around our crape myrtles, too. Even here in the city, they can be abundant, and seem to adore those seeds.
Shoreacres, I haven’t seen a male in breeding plumage for quite a while.
Generally, we see that only at the beginning of their time with us. Usually, they’re quite dull — so much so that it took me a while to identify them as goldfinches when I first became interested in birds.
If it weren’t for common species, I’d never have birds at my feeders LOL 🙂 Great photo as always, Ron!
“f it weren’t for common species, I’d never have birds at my feeders”
That’s also the case with me, Heidi.
Thanks for the reminder on the DOF and distance to subject, specially because i often go for photographing small birds like this or Warblers. And thank you also for the lesson on the “common species”.
Thanks, Elmer. Another reason I don’t like ‘my’ birds to be that close is issues with composition. When they’re a little smaller in the frame we have much more latitude with cropping and composition.