A European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) was found by Greg Norwood, along withDorothy McLeer, on 11 January 2003 in Dearborn, Wayne Co., MI. This bird was among thousands of others observed in a 20-acre field of sunflowers, planted by Ford Motor Co. on their property as wildlife habitat. The field is located on the southeast corner of Hubbard Drive and the Southfield Freeway (M-39) Service drive (right, with the Ritz-Carleton Hotel in the background).
The goldfinch tends to mingle with House Finches (a flock of ~500). It is most readily seen when it perches in the trees bordering the field, usually at the west end. It often sings (click here for sample of its song).
European Goldfinches in North America are always dismissed as escaped cage birds. While they are kept in captivity, there appears to be few if any commercial sources for this species in Michigan (according to the responses, or lack thereof, from postings to cage bird and finch specialty list serves and Internet classified ads). European Goldfinches, unlike some other varieties of pet finches, are not easy to breed in captivity. The current price for a pair ranges from $90-400. Finch keepers have told me both these facts make it unlikely that people would purposely release European Goldfinches. Finches are usually kept in cages or aviaries, not allowed to fly free in homes as cockatiels, parrots, or parakeets often are.
A few times, people have deliberately released European Goldfinches in North America. A colony in New York on southern Long Island died out in the 1970s. Closer to home (at home, in this case!) was a group of European songbirds released by Henry Ford in the early 1900s. Although this species is sometimes mentioned as having been released by Ford, according to my sources, European Goldfinches were not among them. Apparently, none of the species in this group survived to become established.
European Goldfinches are migratory, typically short distance but they do tend to wander in winter. While not often reported to hotlines, there have been three European Goldfinches reported in Michigan over the last year (Wayne, Emmet, and Gladwin counties), and since I posted this web page I've received reports of several others. Of course, it's highly doubtful a bird in the Midwest could be a vagrant, but it is probably worthwhile to consider the origin of birds more carefully. In November 1998, Halifax, Nova Scotia had a "major landfall" of European Goldfinches, along with a Brambling. In Quebec, there have been over 70 records since 1984, with more than half being observed in winter.
Other unusual wintering species in the sunflower fields
Thousands of birds are using this field. Most numerous are Dark-eyed Juncos (~1200), House Finches (~500), House Sparrows (~1000), American Tree Sparrows (~300), and American Goldfinch (~400). Here are some other species that have been observed there (list will be updated as needed):
Horned Lark -- 6 whirling over the field on 11 Mar.
Chipping Sparrow -- 4 seen on the Christmas Count on 1 Jan (right); two seen as recently as 19 Jan, one or two seen 1 Mar. These are Dearborn's first winter records for this species.
Field Sparrow -- 1 seen by R. Kuhlman 19 Jan. Dearborn's second winter record.
Fox Sparrow -- up to 3 seen from 1 Jan through 11 Mar.
Song Sparrow -- limited numbers.
White-throated Sparrow -- Numbers estimated from 1 Jan at about 50; K. Overman estimated ~80 on 18 Jan. Greg Norwood had 80+ on 27 Feb.
White-crowned Sparrow -- 2 on 1 Jan; up to 3 through 19 Jan, all immatures. Dearborn's second winter record.
Red-winged Blackbird -- 2 females first seen 1 Jan, still present 2 Mar. Migrants were first seen on 27 Feb.
Brown-headed Cowbird -- 3 seen by A. Chartier on 19 Jan.
Purple Finch -- 1 male seen by 19 Jan.
European Goldfinch -- last reported 11 Mar.
