Juvenile Goldfinch

Gandalf · #1 (**permalink**) 21-05-2007, 07:37 PM

Taken yesterday in the garden.
After being fed by the adults for long enough, this juvenile decides it's time to go solo. He looks a little lost though. How does one tell whether it's male of female?

Cheers,

Dan Salter · #2 (**permalink**) 21-05-2007, 08:15 PM

You could try checking its wardrobe?

Only one pair of well worn shoes = Male

Roughly 300 pairs of nearly identical unworn shoes with matching identical handbags= Female

Dan

rlchew · #3 (**permalink**) 21-05-2007, 08:17 PM

No idea .... but I am reasonably sure that Dan's ID tip will not assist

.

Richard

agrumpycow · #4 (**permalink**) 21-05-2007, 08:47 PM

I think it's very hard to tell the sex at this age. When they have their adult markings the males red face apparently extends a bit further behind the eye.
Lovely pic by the way

Za · #5 (**permalink**) 21-05-2007, 09:15 PM

Great picture,I have never seen a young goldfinch before.

oceanroc · #6 (**permalink**) 22-05-2007, 03:59 AM

I have to register a token protest at Dan's ID tip!!

I am an ex-RN Lieutenant with only ONE pair of well-worn shoes and no handbag who hates shopping.

Since the bird is solo it has probably never opened its heart to its parents and discussed how it feels about leaving the nest. Sounds like a male to me!

buzfuz8149 · #7 (**permalink**) 22-05-2007, 06:13 AM

Good photo Gandalf, I have not seen any young Goldfinch this year but had a young Greenfinch on the feeder yesterday. As to sexing them I still struggle with the adults and would not like to be the match maker for them.

Carol.

Gandalf · #8 (**permalink**) 22-05-2007, 07:17 PM

Thanks for the replies everyone. I agree it is very hard indeed to sex them while they look like this. To be of any help they would have to wear the shoes, I think, so that when I see the style of shoe, I would be in a better position to judge. Who mentioned clogs!