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American Goldfinch

(Carduelis tristis)

Winter Plumage
Photo: S. Schott

Size             : 4.5  inches long

Description      : Male   - spring and summer: bright yellow all over : black forehead, wings and tail. 
                                             Wings and tail tipped with white
                          - fall and winter  : yellow turns to grayish olive
                            Males in winter look like females 

                   Female - Olive green above, lighter below, white rump, black wings and tail, tipped with white
                   
                   Juveniles look like females 

Preferred Habitat: Fields, pastures, swamps, parks, groves, but are also found at feeders in a variety of backyards.

Preferred food   : Insects, buds and seeds, but primarily seeds, especially thistle, (wild and nyjer), millet,
                   sunflower and garden seeds, such as cosmos.

Breeding Range   : Newfoundland to British Columbia, south to southern California and east to North Carolina.

Winter Range     : Same as breeding range, except also to northern Mexico, the Gulf states and Florida.

Interesting Facts: Also known as 'wild canaries', as they resemble the pet bird both in song and appearance.
                   Flight has undulating pattern.
                   Breed late in summer, when thistle down is available.
                   Female spends 4 - 5 days building the cup-shaped, tightly woven nest, which is 2 7/8 in. in dia.
                        & 2 3/4 in. high.
                   Goldfinches won't nest where there is not a good supply of wild thistle. They dine on the seeds but 
                        also use the down to line their nests.
                   Nestlings are fead regurgitated seeds, which the male brings to the female. 
                   The nestling stage lasts 10 - 15 days.
                   During the fledgling period, which lasts approx. 1 month, the male alone feeds the young, while the 
                        female is usually nesting again.