In my back yard, Eastern Redbud trees open clouds of pink blossoms at the same moment when American Goldfinches are transforming into gold. Stunning yellow feathers replace the olive greens of winter. The process of replacing old feathers with new is called molting.
American Goldfinches are molting into their nuptial plumage for the breeding season. Males put on a black cap, tilted jauntily down over the forehead. The breast and back become bright yellow.
The change doesn’t happen evenly all over, but rather in blotches. Beginning in February or March, new feathers develop down in the feather follicles. As they grow, they push the old feathers right out of their follicles, to float away on the breeze. You might be fooled into thinking the spring birds were a different species from their winter selves.
For a while the birds look as if they’re wearing patchwork. During the transition, the black forehead patch can look raggedly, as new, dark feathers mingle with old, pale ones.
Female American Goldfinches are always less colorful than males, and they don’t develop a black cap. Their molt is less conspicuous, but they too get brighter as they change into breeding plumage.
At this moment, mid April, some of the American Goldfinches in my Iowa back yard have completed their molt and look glorious. Others are still performing their alchemy of gold.
So beautiful
Once again, I learn something new--and lovely!