Hobbies And Interests
Washington State Bird: Willow Goldfinch
The official state bird of Washington state since 1951, males of the willow goldfinch species are a brilliant yellow color. In fact, the willow goldfinch is frequently confused with the yellow canary. Both species share the characteristic yellow coloring and black markings on the face and body. The goldfinch can be distinguished from the canary by its song, consisting of a series of a long note, twitters and warbles.
Yellow-Breasted Chat
The yellow-breasted chat (Icteria virens) has a bright yellow chest and gray back. The females of the species are characteristically less colorful than the males. The yellow-breasted chat is partial to areas with dense, brushy growth. They are larger than a typical songbird, reaching a length of 7 1/2 inches, and a wingspan of nearly 10 inches.
Cassin's Finch
Cassin's finch is classified as a rose finch, with a bifurcated brown tail and brown wings. Males of the species have berry-red head feathers, creating a striking contrast from the duller colors of the body. Cassin's finches breed in the coniferous forests of eastern Washington state.
Mourning Dove
A member of the dove-pigeon family, the mourning dove has a famed song that resembles a musical lament, which is also the reason for its name. Light gray and brown, mourning doves are less visually remarkable than many of the other species native to eastern Washington, but they are a top game bird in the United States.