American Goldfinch (Wild Bird Guides) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "The American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) is a familiar summer bird to many..." (more)
Key Phrases: goldfinch populations, young goldfinches, winter flocks, American Goldfinch, North America (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

A lovely book about one of America's favorite backyard feeder birds, American Goldfinch (in the Wild Bird Guides series) is a very good introduction to the species. Middleton's years of research on goldfinches show in the wealth of information provided in this book. Divided into seven chapters covering such broad topics as breeding, foods and feeding, and behavior, the story is told in the form of long captions illustrating large color photos. Although the episodic nature of the captions can make for some choppiness in the narrative, the use of the index will allow the location of any specific facts required. The numerous color photos work well with the text. Goldfinches have expanded their range northward and have become more common, with increasing numbers surviving winter because of the increasing frequency of bird feeding, and this new guide to their behavior and lifestyle will be eagerly read by all who are interested in birds. Nancy Bent

Review

Reviewed in the Belgian journal L'Ornithologue, January 2002. Reviewed in the French Magazine, Les Oiseaux du Monde, April 2002.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 104 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books; 1st edition (August 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811726878
• ISBN-13: 978-0811726870
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,133,315 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars American goldfinch, March 1, 2005

By	Kenneth Scheffler (Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The American goldfinch is a bird that I am not all that familiar with and I was pleased to see that the species has been profiled in the Wild Bird Series. Similar to the domesticated canary, the male American goldfinch is readily recognized because of its striking yellow and black plumage. The goldfinch is a bird that can be easily attracted to the backyard by stocking a feeder with thistle-like seeds. (It is largely due to feeders that the American goldfinch is so recognizeable to most, as it has made the species much more common.) As with the other books in the series, the photographs are excellent, but unlike some of the other titles, the text is somewhat more substantial. Overall, and excellent book, truly a joy to read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars what dies a goldfinch have in common with a squirrel, September 3, 2008

By	Douglas E. Libert "howitt" (parkersburg wv) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

They both can store food in pouches in their mouths for later digestion or feeding of young.That's why your thistle seed feeder goes dowm so fast during their mating season.(Goldfinch have expensive tastes as the author states.)The Goldfinches spend about 17% of their time on wing maintainence(preening)because in the wilds buff wings are critical.They are only tropical gold during mating season and only the males develop the rich colors.Also the males will bring food to the females and the chics during nesting.the Goldfinch couple permit another male finch called an Beta male to hang around for an emergency and the female may have another brood later in the season to the beta male.If you have a cat around your feeder(as long as the cat can't reach it) the goldfinches will adapt and ignore any ground predator.
The books are made for adult readers and go into alot of detail about molting and nesting habits as well as discussing goldfinch language and etiquette.This is just simply a great series,short ,sweet,inexpensive,detailed without being boring and can be read by adults or children.
By the way if you have begun feeding the goldfinch in your area you may have started a new vocation for yourself.The goldfinches fat reserves can only hold out maybe a day and a half and winters can be cruel.So stock up on thistle over the winter.Cha-chinga!!!