American Goldfinch

The American Goldfinch , also known as the Eastern Goldfinch and Wild Canary, is a North American bird in the finch family. It is migratory, ranging from southern Canada to North Carolina during the breeding season, and from just south of the Canadian border to Mexico during the winter.

The American Goldfinch is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

The wide-spread American Goldfinch is one of America's most popular backyard feeder birds. The goldfinch is a short distance migrant, moving into the southern part of its range during the winter. Non-breeding males and females are less striking than the breeding-plumaged male shown above. Report a sighting. More

North American RangeThe American Goldfinch is the state bird of Washington. It is common throughout the lowlands of Washington, often coming to bird feeders. The male in breeding plumage is bright yellow with a black forehead, wings, and tail. He has one white wing-bar on each wing and white on his tail. Outside of the breeding season, the male is drab brown with hints of yellow and white wing-bars. More

American Goldfinch displays sexual dimorphism in its coloration; the male is a vibrant yellow in the summer and an olive color during the winter months, while the female is a dull yellow-brown shade which brightens only slightly during the summer. The male displays brightly colored plumage during the breeding season to attract a mate. More

The American Goldfinch's range is fairly large, reaching up to nearly 8 million square kilometers. It can be found in native areas such as Canada, Bahamas, Mexico and the United States. The population of the American Goldfinch is currently believed to be quite extensive, around 24 million individual birds. Due to the large size of this species' global population, the American Goldfinch has an evaluation of Least Concern. This is a downgrade from Lower Risk, which was the rating in 2000. More

* American GoldfinchGoldfinches are found across North America. The three species include the American, Lesser and Lawrence’s Goldfinch. * Goldfinches are sometimes referred to as wild canaries. They are actually in the finch family as their name suggests. * Northern populations of the American Goldfinch are mostly migratory and southern populations are mostly residential. More

American Goldfinches can be found at feeders any time of year, but most abundantly during winter. More

The American goldfinch is about 4.3 in (11 cm) in body length and weighs 0.5 oz (14 g). The male is colored overall a bright canary yellow, with black wings marked with white bars, a black tail, and a black face cap. The female is a more subdued yellow, with dark wings and tail. The juveniles are olive-yellow, with darker wings. During the winter, the male is not so brightly colored. More

Eastern or American Goldfinch The American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis), also known as the Eastern Goldfinch and Wild Canary, is a North American bird in the finch family. It is migratory, ranging from southern Canada to North Carolina during the breeding season, and from just south of the Canadian border to Mexico during the winter. More

American GoldfinchThe American Goldfinch is a very small North American bird of the finch family. It is typically 11-13 cm (3-5 in) long while its wingspan is 19-22 cm (7-9 in). Weighing in at 11 - 20 g, the American Goldfinch is a very small bird with a pointed and conical bill which is usually pink. Its body color ranges from a bright yellow to a dull brown. More

American goldfinch is the loveliest of birds. With his elegant song, and his more beautiful soul, he ought to be one of the best beloved, if not one of the most famous; but he has never yet had half his desserts. He is like the chickadee, and yet different. He is not so extremely confiding, nor should I call him merry. But he is always cheerful, in spite of his so-called plaintive note, from which he gets one of his names, and always amiable. More

The American Goldfinch is a small bird, growing up to five inches long. The males, in breeding season, are the easiest to identify, because they are bright yellow with black and white markings. In the Winter, the males lose their bright yellow feathers and become dull brown. They keep the black and white markings though. Females are dull year-round. American Goldfinches live in brushy thickets, weedy fields, gardens, and roadsides. More

The American Goldfinch is granivorous and adapted for the consumption of seedheads, with a conical beak to remove the seeds and agile feet to grip the stems of seedheads while feeding. It is a social bird, and will gather in large flocks while feeding and migrating. It may behave territorially during nest construction, but this aggression is short-lived. Its breeding season is tied to the peak of food supply, beginning in late July, which is relatively late in the year for a finch. More

American Goldfinch - Carduelis tristis = Goldfinch Characteristics Range Habitat Diet Life Cycle Behavior Classification Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae Genus: Carduelis Goldfinch Click on the images for a larger view. Listen to the goldfinch's call. More

American Goldfinch male in breeding plumage is bright yellow with black cap. Wings are black, with white bars, and yellow patch on shoulders. Rump and vent are white. Tail is black and white. Bill is small, conical and pink. Eyes are black. Legs and feet are pink. American Goldfinch female is duller than male. Upperparts are olive, including head which lacks black patch. Underparts are dull yellow. More

American GoldfinchAmerican Goldfinch The American Goldfinch is easily detected in the spring or summer as a flash of yellow, flying with an undulating motion and calling perchicoree, perchicoree. With its short, heavy, conical beak, the American Goldfinch is typical of North American seed-eating birds that are members of the finch (Fringillidae) family. It breeds across southern Canada from British Columbia to Newfoundland and through most of the United States north of the Gulf States. More

Does this bird look familiar? It should! The American Goldfinch is one of the most plentiful birds in the USA and Canada. If you have a bird feeder in your yard, you're very likely to see these birds. They are very fond of sunflower seeds and thistle. You can find them roaming around the wild in the open, weed-filled fields across the country. Picture Left: American Goldfinch eating thistle seeds at a feeder, by Thomas O'Neil, available online here. More

The American Goldfinch, or wild canary, is a delightful visitor to backyards where thistle seed is offered. They are abundant over most of North America where there is suitable habitat, except in the Cascade and Sierra Nevada Mountains. They are one of the world More

The American Goldfinch goes through a significant change in plumage as the seasons change and its mating and nesting habits begin. Feeding Goldfinches into late Spring will give you the best opportunity to view the males brilliant yellow and black color combination. Choosing a Squirrel Proof Feeder or using nyjer/thistle seed will help keep your seed cost to a minimum. More