One step in goldfinch nest construction
August 16th, 2009
American Goldfinches are the latest nesting birds in Ottawa. They get started once most other birds have already raised and fledged young. Scientists are uncertain as to the reason why they evolved this way. It may be because of their dependence on thistle. Goldfinches love thistle, especially thistle gone to seed--seeds they can eat, and thistledown to line their nests with.
They're strict vegetarians, mainly seed-itarians, which is unusual among birds. Most at least feed insects to their young even if they're herbivorous as adults. Goldfinch chicks grow up on seeds. A cowbird chick hatched in a goldfinch nest is out of luck. It won't survive on that diet for more than three days.
Goldfinch nests are remarkably well-constructed. It's said that they can hold water. Woven from plant fibers, lined with down, and reinforced with spider or caterpillar web. Which brings me to this unusual set of pictures.
Note the tent caterpillar at bottom left! I wondered if she was stuck at first, but she eventually managed to fly off with a piece of web--and she came back for more later. Personally, I like knowing that even something as noxious as webworms can be beneficial to someone.
August 16th, 2009
American Goldfinches are the latest nesting birds in Ottawa. They get started once most other birds have already raised and fledged young. Scientists are uncertain as to the reason why they evolved this way. It may be because of their dependence on thistle. Goldfinches love thistle, especially thistle gone to seed--seeds they can eat, and thistledown to line their nests with.
They're strict vegetarians, mainly seed-itarians, which is unusual among birds. Most at least feed insects to their young even if they're herbivorous as adults. Goldfinch chicks grow up on seeds. A cowbird chick hatched in a goldfinch nest is out of luck. It won't survive on that diet for more than three days.
Goldfinch nests are remarkably well-constructed. It's said that they can hold water. Woven from plant fibers, lined with down, and reinforced with spider or caterpillar web. Which brings me to this unusual set of pictures.
Note the tent caterpillar at bottom left! I wondered if she was stuck at first, but she eventually managed to fly off with a piece of web--and she came back for more later. Personally, I like knowing that even something as noxious as webworms can be beneficial to someone.
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