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Saturday, January 11, 2020

A Charm of Finches

Lesser Goldfinches feeding on sunflower seeds, one of their preferred foods.
At times, winter in Central Texas may seem a bit drab, colorless, and dreary, but the season is usually brightened by members of a beautiful and diverse group of birds called finches.  These small, seed-eating birds have an undulating flight, and flocks of them often roam south in the winter.

A male Lesser Goldfinch
Found primarily west of the Balcones escarpment, Lesser Goldfinches (Spinus psaltria) are present year-round, but are more likely to be seen at bird feeders in the colder months.  At 4.5 inches long, males have an entirely black crown and back, white wingbars, and are lemon yellow below, while females have olive backs, black wings with whitish wingbars, and duller yellow underparts.  They can gather in groups of up to several hundred at a time, and are most commonly found in Texas and California.

A male American Goldfinch
The American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) is a slightly larger bird that is less common but typically present here from November to March. At 5 inches long, males have a bright yellow body, a black cap, and black wings with white wingbars.  Females are duller overall, with an olive body and black wings with prominent white wingbars. They are the only finch that molts its body feathers twice a year, in late summer and then again in late winter in preparation for breeding season.

A Pine Siskin
Most gregarious are the Pine Siskins (Spinus pinus), a 5 inch long finch with prominent brown streaking and yellow at the base of the tail and in flight feathers.  At first they may appear mostly grayish-brown, but they flash their yellow markings as they explode into flight or flutter while feeding.  Typically present from December through March, flocks of Pine Siskins may congregate at bird feeders one winter and be completely absent the next.  Their behavior is highly nomadic and their presence is erratic across North America in winter in response to available seed crops.  In fact, some individuals may stay near a dependable food source and breed far south of their normal breeding range, which is in Canada, the northern U.S., and higher elevations of the west.

While natural food sources are low in winter, these finches are most often seen at bird feeders that offer nyjer thistle and sunflower seeds.  Their conical bills are specifically adapted to pry open the outer covering of seeds, after which they shake their heads to loosen the husk, and then swallow the seed.  If you want to see these bright little birds at your feeders this winter, charm them by offering their favorite foods!

Saturday, January 4, 2020

Help Find Coco - Missing African Grey Parrot

REWARD:  Missing African Grey Parrot in NW Austin


While this is not a typical post for this blog, we feel we’d be remiss in not trying to get the word out on Coco, an African Grey parrot missing in Northwest Austin since November 24th.  Please read this post and keep a look out for Coco.  If you have any information that would be helpful in locating Coco, please contact her owner directly (contact information at the end of this post).


Coco, an African Grey parrot, is a silvery grey bird with red tail feathers.
She is about 13 inches long, with a wingspan of 18 to 20 inches.

Coco’s natural diet consists of fruit, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
These parrots can live 40 to 60 years in captivity.  They are
companion birds that are prized for their intelligence and ability
to mimic human speech.

A flyer distributed around town describes Coco.  She is tame and
may be enticed by a grape and a bit of cheese. 

From Coco's Owner:


Coco has been missing since Nov. 24, 2019 in Austin, TX in the area TX Hwy 360 and Spicewood Springs Rd. Two weeks after her missing date she was seen twice on Courtyard Drive behind the Tennis courts and Scout Island drive, which is about 2 miles away from where she flew away.  Then, a few days later, an African Grey was spotted flying with a flock of Quaker Parrots in the 360/183 area - I am positive this was Coco.  When the temperatures drop at night, she will seek warmth. She may fly also into any openings like garages or porches, so please watch out for her. She may sit on fences, birdbaths, high branches, but maybe even around garbage cans seeking food.  If you find her, please approach her slowly. A piece of cheese, meat or fruit will entice her for sure. Speak to her softly, calling her name and SLOWLY approach your forearm to her. She will step up onto your arm and just look at you. Please avoid any sudden movements. That would startle her and make her take off again. Coco is not sexed, but I wanted her to be a girl, therefore "she".  She is a pretty healthy strong parrot with a decent vocabulary for a 10-year-old birdie.

I am offering a generous reward to the person who finds her and gives her back to me. I am still crying my eyes out, blaming myself endlessly... Thank you all for your generous support in helping me find Coco!!!

Sibyllehohendorf-shoemaker@hotmail.com
512-968-7587