Gray-headed Goldfinch - description, habitat, interesting facts

Beautiful, miniature and colorful birds attract attention. They are fragile and very sonorous, standing out among similar members of the family. Individuals of this group belong to the family of finch, today we will study the most detailed aspects affecting this species.

Description

1. In terms of their overall characteristics, these birds are comparable with other little sparrows. They grow along the length of the body up to 12 cm. Maximum, this is with a mass of summer of 15-20 grams.
2. Pigmentation of plumage on the head is considered to be the main decoration of the tail creatures. White strips are visible from the side parts. And in front of the head is gray, with black markings. The wings are black, yellowish outflow. Tail black and white.
3. In the area of ​​the abdomen and cheeks, the plumage is pigmented whitish. The beak is pinkish with light patches, in the format of a triangle. On the tip of a grayish mark.The back is mostly brown, light, and so is the chest. Legs are stained pinkish and coffee.
4. An interesting feature is that the feathered members of the family do not differ almost among themselves by gender. For the birds of the singing family, this is considered a rarity, since at least one difference, but is.
5. As for the young, the plumage of birds is plain. Over time, these individuals become brighter. However, the outstanding feature of individuals is not considered a coloration, but a voice. He is so melodious and beautiful that you can listen long enough.
6. The singing of birds is inimitable. They can play dozens or even hundreds of different sound combinations, ranging from the noise of rivers, ending with the ticking of the clock (conditionally). These birds are so cute and beautiful that they do not look like anyone.
7. Their singing is limitless, difficult to transmit and can not be replayed using various devices. Depending on the mood, the individual may sing a sad or, on the contrary, funny combination. Of course, it does not do without the fact that some individuals are mediocre in terms of singing.

Habitat

1. These individuals prefer to settle where there is enough food to feed the entire family. Birds eat plant foods such as burdock, thistle or burdock.
2. Despite the fact that individuals of this species prefer to live in the forest part, such a bird is not. She does not like dense thickets, she always prefers the area thinned by trees.
3. A goldfinch does not live in the dark, since this is how long the life span is reduced. Loves the bright spaces, where there is a light water source nearby.

Breeding

1. As soon as winter begins, the individuals in question are brought together in colonies and remain together until the middle of spring. In each flock may be more than 40 birds. At this time, birds try to find a sufficient amount of food, parallel flying over short distances.
2. As soon as the warm season comes, individuals try to break up into pairs. Closer to the summer, the birds are already completing the construction of a new dwelling. Often nests are built on horizontal branches of trees. As a building material used all sorts of twigs.
3. It should be noted that the dwellings of birds are located at a sufficient height from the ground. The interesting fact remains that the goldfinches build very cozy and beautiful nests. Individuals care about their future offspring. The nest is an unusual and elegant building.
4. In the silhouette of the dwelling there is a bowl with dense walls. It is worth noting that in the process of building birds use very thin stems of various plants. In addition, birds use spider webs and roots as anchoring material. The goldfinches cover their nests with poplar down.
5. In addition to this, birds camouflage dwellings with various moss, which differs in color. As a result, all uninvited guests simply do not notice the nest. Also from the ground, the dwelling of the goldfinches is almost impossible to notice, because they have the same color as the bark of the tree. The location of the nest can be given only by the male on the characteristic behavior.
6. Often males fly up to the very top of the tree and sit on its edge. After that, the bird starts twittering. At this time in the house sits a female, who answers him. The fact of the matter is that by nature, the goldfinches do not belong to songbirds.During the chanting, the males also begin to make unusual body movements.

It is interesting to observe the behavior of birds when they are in the mating season or are already breeding. The individuals in question are very caring. In addition, they are constantly chirping something to each other and dancing. They ruffle feathers and show each other feelings.

Video: Gray-headed Goldfinch (Carduelis caniceps)