American Goldfinch – The Faux Foe

American Goldfinch

The Faux Foe

A few pair of American Goldfinch have been regularly showing up at our bird feeding station this spring. In the image, this breeding male goldfinch had just landed on the filagree over the seed tray. The vibrant-colored finch appears to be looking intently, if not aggressively, at the hummingbird figure as if it were an opponent, all the while grasping its rival’s beak. The finch is actually looking past “the faux foe” for an opportunity to descend on the food below.

~ Anecdote and American Goldfinch capture, The Faux Foe © Jerry L. Ferrara