How to distinguish a male goldfinch from a female: recommendations and tips

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Goldfinches are a kind of small and unusually beautiful songbirds. They have bright plumage and are famous for their musical abilities. They have more than twenty melodies in their arsenal. You can enjoy his singing every day. One of the most common species is the black-headed goldfinch, which can be found throughout Europe and Western Siberia. It is about him that we will discuss further. Of course, to determine the gender of the goldfinch, it is best to contact a specialist. But there are times when it is not possible to find an experienced ornithologist.

Outward signs of difference

The black-headed goldfinch is one of the most beautiful and frequent birds of our forests. You can see the difference between a male and a female with a certain skill in all minor features. We invite you to find out for yourself how to distinguish a male goldfinch from a female. The very first thing you need to pay attention to is external signs of similarity or difference. The plumage of birds of both sexes is almost the same, but the red "mask" of the female is slightly smaller and paler. Under the base of the beak, the width of the strip is about 4-6 mm, while in males it is 8-10 mm, that isalmost twice as wide. The first signs of difference are noticeable, starting from the upper body of the bird. The black color of the “cap” on the head of the male does not have gray hair, unlike the female.

Goldfinch body measurements

Look at the bird and determine who it is, a male or a female just does not work out. You need to at least approximately know the size of the birds. If there are two or more birds nearby, then this simplifies the task. How to distinguish a male goldfinch from a female by size? It can be considered lucky, because you can clearly see the difference in volumes. Males look slightly larger than females. If there is a comparison of birds of about the same age, then the size is an actual sign.

Birds, like people, can differ in body proportions and sizes. The body length is approximately 12 centimeters, and the bird weighs only 20 grams. The wingspan is 20-25 centimeters. In all respects, they are even smaller than a sparrow.

What is the secret of the strip under the beak

Absolutely all goldfinches have a red stripe under the beak. As already mentioned, in males it is more pronounced, brighter. In the female, it is two times smaller and duller. Many lovers of these songbirds, when asked how to distinguish a male goldfinch from a female, are advised to pay attention to this particular feature. Take a close look at the stripe and plumage under the bird's beak. The fact that the female is duller than the male is easy to explain. This makes them less visible to predators while hatching.

What feathers above the beakat the bird

According to the standard, the male goldfinch is larger and the head, and, of course, his beak is larger. But it's not just the size that makes the difference. You need to carefully consider the form. In females, the beak is weaker and less curved.

You need to carefully consider the feathers above the beak. In males, they have a scarlet pure color, while in female goldfinches they are raspberry, a colder shade. But you should not count on the fact that on this basis you can accurately determine the sex of a bird. Because living conditions and nutrition affect the color of plumage in birds. It turns out that the shape of the beak and the color of the feathers above it is another sign and the answer to the question of how to distinguish a male goldfinch from a female.

What color are the feathers on the chest

When comparing birds to determine sex, it is advisable to take individuals of the same age. Spots on the chest of goldfinches can also tell the sex of the bird. It is necessary to examine the breast of the bird. In the male, the contrast between brown and white is stronger. Experienced birders give advice on how to distinguish a male goldfinch from a female:

• You can determine the sex of a bird by the presence of a greenish or yellowish color in the feathers of males on the chest.
• Catching a goldfinch, you need to pick it up and turn its belly towards you.
• Blow on the chest feathers at the brown spots.
• If the feathers glow gray or brown, it's a female.
• You can see a green or yellow tint from the underside - this is a male.

In some cases, come acrossbirds that do not require blowing feathers. The green color on the chest is clearly visible and so. You need to know that older females may have brighter colors.

Goldfinches that are in captivity easily adapt to other living conditions and quickly become tame. They are undemanding to nutrition, beautiful and beautifully perform any melody.

The melodies of their relatives once heard will surely be performed in the future. And here it is already necessary not to look closely, but to listen to the voice of the goldfinch. The difference in the performance of the trill is very noticeable. The female sings with a crackling voice. More pleasant melodies are sung by a goldfinch. The male stops singing when it is time to molt.

If the bird was recently acquired, then it may be silent for some time. However, it is considered unreliable and does not always allow this feature to distinguish a male goldfinch from a female. How to do it with 100% accuracy? Almost impossible. However, you will be lucky if you see goldfinches during the mating season.

Behavior of birds during mating season

In nature, birds live in rare forests, deciduous groves alternating with open areas, parks and near rivers. The goldfinch is also very fond of orchards, copses and small groves. There, on the tops of trees, he can make a warm and cozy nest, lined with poplar fluff. It's time to invite the female to mate. The goldfinch sits on a branch and begins to solo, showing all his musical abilities. At the same time, he spins, spins in all directions and even bows, as if he were giving a concert. With such a boastful behavior, the goldfinchgives himself away. At this time, the bride flies up to him. How to distinguish a male goldfinch from a female in this case, we think it's clear.

For keeping your favorite bird at home, you need to create favorable conditions in the house: a good big cage and regular cleaning.

Goldfinches breed safely at home. These birds have no concept of captivity, but there is a comfort zone. The task of the goldfinch breeder is to create these conditions for them. The best thing is to put a couple of birds in love in a spacious aviary.

For all their splendor, goldfinches have a flaw. They can be very pugnacious and can't get along with anyone.