Do Yellow Finches Change Color?

Yes, yellow finches change color.

Goldfinches, for example, replace their bright yellow feathers with duller ones for the winter.

1 They molt twice a year, growing in a complete set of new golden yellow feathers at the end of winter1.

The change in color may also be related to predators and mating2.

Male American Goldfinches undergo an annual plumage cycle, with their bill color changing to dusky winter color and their bright yellow breeding feathers being replaced by nonbreeding plumage3.

If you observe American Goldfinches regularly, you can watch the transition from gold to gray in September and October45.

Are there other types of finches that change color besides Goldfinches?

Yes, there are other types of finches that change color besides Goldfinches.

For example, Lawrence’s Goldfinches change color from season to season through a process of molting and re-growing new feathers[1].

The American Goldfinch, which is the only finch in its subfamily to undergo a complete molt, also displays sexual dichromatism, with the male being a vibrant yellow in the summer and an olive color during the winter, while the female is a dull yellow-brown shade which brightens only slightly during the summer[2].

Other types of finches may also change color through molting or other processes.

How long does the process of molting and growing new feathers typically take for yellow finches?

There is no specific information on how long the process of molting and growing new feathers typically takes for yellow finches.

However, it is known that birds molt feathers in regular patterns or on specific parts of their bodies, and it may take weeks or months for birds to complete the molting cycle[1][2][3].

For example, American and Lesser Goldfinches can molt through December[1], and male American Goldfinches molt all of their feathers over six to eight weeks[4].

Canaries, which are similar to finches, typically take between six to twelve weeks to molt once a year[5].

Do yellow finches change their behavior in any way during the molting process or while they have their duller winter feathers?

While all birds molt their feathers once or twice a year, including yellow finches[1][2], there is no evidence to suggest that they change their behavior during the molting process or while they have their duller winter feathers[3][4][5].