American Goldfinch
Couldn’t figure out how so many of the beautiful flowers had a full bloom of petals one day, and then the next day all of the petals were gone, leaving only the stem and core behind. Then one day an American Goldfinch landed within sight and began working from the base of the flower, carefully picking off each petal. The very base of the petal seems to be the most desirable part—once consumed, the rest simply falls away. Mystery solved.
From the Field
To say that thistles are a favorite food of the American Goldfinch is an understatement. The species relies heavily on thistle as a primary food source, though it will also eat insects, maple sap, sunflower seeds, and grasses. In fact, Carduelis, the scientific name for the American Goldfinch, comes from the Latin word for thistle. (Source: Bird Chronicle)
