Goldfinches stripping dandelions…
Wed 2nd May 2012
Goldfinches like my weedy lawn! Here’s a small charm of them shredding dandelion heads – they seem to be gathering them too?
See this one gripping the stalk with one foot, whilst it rapidly demolishes the head – this use of the feet in feeding is characteristic of goldfinches, and was exploited to teach them ‘hauling’ tricks in the days when they were kept as caged songbirds.
There’s plenty of niger seed and sunflower hearts in hanging feeders nearby, and goldfinches call regularly to partake, but looks like my dandelions are in season – had better not mow just yet!