A mature goldfinch, like this male in his summer breeding finery, can “hang around” comfortably munching on seed from a species-specific feeder.

With olive-colored plumage during winter, adult Goldfinch males molt into bright yellow with little black caps in breeding season.  Females retain their olive feather coats year-around.  The adults take their turns at the feeders.  The peace is broken when cinnamon-colored youngsters follow their parents to the feeders.

Goldfinches nest later in the season than most birds.  It’s later in the year when their favorite silky plant fluff for nests and thistle for food are abundant in the fields.  Their August and September fledglings are just beginning to learn the ropes while the springtime avian young are fairly well on their own emerging as young adults.

The young Cinnamons are unsure of their footing.  Many a time they try but are unsuccessful mimicking the adults who casually hang upside down for minutes on end from the specialized Goldfinch feeder.

The little ones belly flop over the side of the perch just to find they haven’t mastered the art of clinging.  They flutter back to a tree branch.  Frustrated, they call more loudly, “Mom!  Dad!  Do you expect me to be able to feed myself?  Feed me!”

Oops! A common sight as the season’s youngest learn how to negotiate a Goldfinch feeder.

This fledgling American Goldfinch, wearing its juvenile cinnamon feathers, is getting the “hang” of munching Nyger seed from the Goldfinch feeder.

I love watching the Goldfinch youngsters.  Cinnamons.  They’re vocal and insistent.  They beg food from any winged adult nearby — parents or not.

As the season moves on, they become more sure-footed and begin to comfortably cling upside down at the feeder.