Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Toronto Reports => Topic started by: Don Baxter on May 07, 2012, 04:31:52 PM

Title: European Goldfinch at Leslie Spit
Post by: Don Baxter on May 07, 2012, 04:31:52 PM

I have a garden plot at the base of the Leslie Spit, and this morning I saw and heard a European Goldfinch.  I have no idea of it's origin, but it was not a tame bird, nor was it feeding at the many feeders there.

Title: Re: European Goldfinch at Leslie Spit
Post by: Trillian Flummox on May 08, 2012, 10:21:33 PM

I had no idea what a European Goldfinch looked like, so I did a little Googling. Turns out the internet is full of stories about these colourful birds being found in some parts of North America, with various stories about their origins. Most of the stories suggest they are being released into the wild; some sources indicate they are capable of surviving our cold winters; and so far they do not seem to be adversely affecting native species. Apparently there are some cultures who intentionally release captive birds as a spiritual act that will gain them favour in the afterlife. Here's one of the more interesting articles that suggests they are actually becoming established in North America:  http://net-results.blogspot.ca/2009/01/european-goldfinch.html

Would love to see one!

-kris