American Goldfinch

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American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis

Description:

Size: 4 to 5 inches (11 - 13 cm)
Wingspan: 7 to 9 inches (19 - 22 cm)
Weight: .39 to .71 ounces (11 - 20 g)

This is a small bird. The body is bright yellow to dull brown. The wings are black with white wingbars. The small, pink bill is pointed and conical shaped. The tail is short and notched.

Diet:

The American Goldfinch eats seeds, insects and berries. Has a preference for thistle seeds. Can be attracted to feeders using nyjer seed (thistle seed).

Sex Differences:

During the spring and summer: the male has a bright yellow body and black cap, tail and wings (with white wingbars). The female is yellowish-green with black tail and wings (with white wingbars).

During the fall and winter: the male has a yellowish-brown body and black cap, tail and wings (with white wingbars). The female is grayish-brown with dark brown tail and wings (with white wingbars).

Nesting:

These finches build their nests in trees or shrubs 4 to 20 feet above the ground. The nest will be constructed from weeds, vines and downy filaments from wind-dispersed seeds. It will use caterpillar webbing to hold everything together.

Range:

A Few Things You Probably Didn't Know:

Most finches molt once per year in the fall. The American Goldfinch molts a second time, in the springtime. The second molting brings out their beautiful yellow breeding color, supporting their nickname "wild canary".
The female will often leave the male, with babies still in the nest, to find another mate.
In the winter, these birds can be found in large flocks. During the breeding season, they will feed in much smaller groups.

The best bird feeder choice for an American Goldfinch is a thistle feeder.

Click here for information on other backyard birds.