I was shocked when I saw this article. How sad. :'( I have always disliked the thorny plant but have used it in dried floral arrangements and I even make a wreath out of it once. Now I will be cutting off every purple blossom I see. http://www.newiaudubon.org/#Burdock
I didn't realise the dangers of this plant to wildlife. Thankfully I don't know of any growing wild or in gardens around this area.
On the link it looks like the finch is caught in a coneflower head. I have never heard of Burdock before and I am not that far from Green Bay. I have never had any caught on the coneflowers but I suppose anything can happen.
2ofus--That is sad. I never knew that either. My honey always cuts down the burdock on our property. Hates the stuff. Although the root of young plants is good to eat.
I'm not sure how to post a picture taken off the web but it is nothing like a cone flower other than the cone shaped seed head. There are small fish hook ends on each seed tip and the leaves have thorns on the tips of the leaves also.
That has to be terrible for any creature...I will look closer in fields when we take a walk ... Ouch!