American Goldfinch

I led a bird walk today, and some of the participants were very new to birds and birding. We saw many interesting species: Pileated Woodpecker, Cooper's Hawks displaying, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers constructing a nest, Ruby-crowned Kinglets flashing their topknots, etc.

Winner of the ooh and aah factor award?

It may have been this species, the American Goldfinch.

Few of our breeding birds in Ohio are as magnificent as a male goldfinch wearing his springtime finery. Coupled with their uplifting, undeniably cheery song, this is certainly a bird worthy of oohs and aahs.

It's easy to get jaded by repetition, and I've probably seen countless thousands of goldfinches. I hope they never lose their lustre, for me.

These photos were taken this afternoon in Worthington, Ohio.