48 birdsandblooms.com FEBRUARY I MARCH 2021
Q This bird stopped at our feeder with a flock
of goldfinches. Is it a finch?
Elaine McCabe NEWPORT, NEW YORK
Kenn and Kimberly: The colors in birds’ feathers are
created by a few different categories of pigments, and these
can be affected by different things. Black, gray and most
of the brown colors in feathers are produced by melanins,
while yellow, red and orange are produced by carotenoid
pigments. The beautiful bird at your feeder looks like an
American goldfinch that has normal carotenoid pigments
(producing the bright yellow) but is lacking melanins. That’s
why it looks as if someone took a normal goldfinch and then
deleted all the black from its wings and tail.
Q I purchased this plant
on clearance. What is it?
Sandra Braddock SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA
Melinda: You are the proud owner of
a crown of thorns (Euphorbia milii). It
prefers bright light and well-draining
soil. It tolerates low humidity, making it
well suited to growing indoors. Don’t be
alarmed when the plant drops its leaves.
This is common and usually happens in
winter. The root system is relatively small
compared to the top growth, so don’t
be anxious to transplant it to a larger
container. Beware of the thorns that
surprise inattentive gardeners, children
and pets, as well as the sticky white latex
sap that can irritate the skin and eyes.
FREEZE FOR LATER Whether you’re making homemade suet cakes or buying in bulk from
the store, save excess ones in the freezer for up to a year to keep them fresh. When the
temperature outside gets too hot, it’s best to put away suet until fall rolls back around.
ASK THE EXPERTS
Q Does flour cause
seed cakes to grow mold
more quickly?
Linda Kramer MONROVIA, MARYLAND
Kenn and Kimberly: Flour is a safe
ingredient for homemade seed and
suet cakes, and it won’t cause mold to
grow more rapidly than normal. Just
remember it’s important to include other
dry ingredients that add more nutritional
value. We suggest adding equal parts
yellow cornmeal and chick starter, which
is used for feeding baby chickens but is
also great for wild songbirds.
Q Last spring, I saw a mass of yellow butterflies
just hovering in a sphere above a small tree.
What was happening? John Diaz BARHAMSVILLE, VIRGINIA
Kenn and Kimberly: Some insects engage in mating
swarms. One example involves a group with the charming
name of dance flies. In some species of dance flies, males
gather in a loose sphere above a shrub or other object,
flying up and down and around while they wait for females
to enter the dance. Such swarms can be noticeable from
quite a distance. This kind of behavior is known for various
orders of insects but not for any butterflies in your area,
so you may have witnessed a highly unusual event. There
is still a lot to be learned about the lives of insects.
RIGHT
:^
S
US
ANDAY
/DAYBR
EAKI
MAGE
RY