American Goldfinch
Scientific name: Spinus tristis
This small bright yellow bird will often be happy to come to your bird feeder, especially if you have nyjer or sunflower seeds! Note the black wing and the white wing bars. The conical bill makes it easy for the goldfinch to eat seeds. As is true with many birds, the female is less bright than the male. In this photo is an example of a female in her breeding plumage, which is a yellow/olive color. In the video below, you can easily see the distinction between the sexes. Photo Credits on this page Missouri DEC
Weight
one half ounce
Length
5 inches
Listen
Diet
Berries and seeds, such as thistle and sunflower
Habitat
Open woodlands, roadsides meadows
Life Cycle
The goldfinch nests later than many other birds, around July and August, as it uses the materials from milkweeds and thistle in its nests. They have been known to live up to ten years.
They are usually monogamous and raise one brood each summer.
Migration
These cheerful birds stay here year round.
Fun Facts
The male goldfinch gets to be a very bright yellow when it is time to breed. Both males and females become a duller color in the winter.
To Hear More
If you would like to hear more calls and learn more about this bird, click here.
To Learn More
If you would like to hear more calls and learn more about the goldfinch, click here.
Male in Breeding Plumage
Male in Winter Plumage
Female Goldfinch in Winter Plumage
More on Birds in Lewisboro