TECHNICOLOR DREAM-COATED FINCH

[Shortsighted]

 At the very beginning of January I had a pair of House finch visit the backyard feeder, which was a big deal for me because I seldom get see any of them here in Pickering. Much as I expected, the finches didn’t stay long and didn’t return the following day. Even Goldfinch visit infrequently. Only one has appeared here since New Year’s day.
 
 
 Yesterday, both a couple of Goldfinch and four House finch made an appearance (three males and one female). They returned several times during the day but never stayed for long. It seemed as if they were not in the mood to compete with the juncos, chickadees, cardinals, woodpeckers and the two sparrows (Tree and White-throated).
 
 
 One of the male House finches was different than the other two. Sometimes a male bird is pale in colour, more like a blush of pink, while more often a male is intensely red in the relevant areas. This particular male was both red, orange and yellow. I’ve seen yellowish males before but this is the first time that I have seen one bird carry so many colours in contiguous patches.
 
 
 I’ve posted a shot of the more usual House finch for comparison, also taken yesterday, as well as a paler version from the same day. The closer shots are of this Technicolor wonder. I also posted a portrait of Joseph in his Technicolor Dream Coat on the Gigapixel AI post because I used the program again for that shot.




Rosy-coloured House finch






Red-coloured House finch




Multi-coloured House finch


 The colour red is generally attributed to a particular carotenoid called canthaxanthin present in the bird’s diet, probably derived from the germ of sunflower seeds so ubiquitous in feeders. Some fruits, such as apples and oranges contain isocryptoxanthin which gives feathers an orange colour. It’s good to know that sometimes you can actually compare apples and oranges. Carotenoids are quite possibly used as commercial colouring agents; therefore, could someone be feeding Smarties to finches? How about gummies?
 
 
 Female House finches are attracted to males with the most intense red colour. I wonder what they think about those Technicolor hippy birds that seem to be experimenting with forbidden fruits. Do they go for bad-boy finches? I’d like to think so.
 
 
 I think I need to fill my feeder with Smarties from now on and get some more Technicolor action going on. February is coming up and it is so dull.


 



Joseph, the finch, and his Technicolor Dream Coat
 

[Ally]

What a beautiful bird you have there. Thanks again for the educational post.