American Goldfinch
Ranked #1,667 in Pets & Animals, #44,184 overall
Does the American Goldfinch Look Familiar to you?
Picture Left: American Goldfinch eating thistle seeds at a feeder, by Thomas O'Neil, available online here.
What do American Goldfinches Look Like?
The appearance of these beautiful, common songbirds
Goldfinches are approximately 4-5 inches, with a wingspan 7-9 inches and a weight of around ,0.40-0.71 ounces.
The American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis), aka Eastern Goldfinch, belongs to the finch family and is native to North America. It's range is from southern Canada to Mexico, depending on the breeding season.
Goldfinch with Summer Plumage (Photo Print)
Goldfinches will go about a drastic change in color from winter to spring and summer months called molting.
A dull, brownish yellow color will appear in the winter. In the warmer months, the males will become bright yellow to attract a mate. Females will stay relatively the same color all year, dark brown with yellow, but will brighten in some areas.
You'll quickly identify them by their yellow feathers with black and white bands on the wings. Differences may be noted in young American Goldfinches as well, with duller colors, more brown, scruffy feathers, and of course, smaller size.
Why are there so many?
Goldfinches have increased in population from birdfeeders and their adaptability to development. American Goldfinches prefer open areas, like your backyard. American Goldfinches are in no way declining, and have flourished recently. Check your feeders!
American Goldfinch Poll
A Male American Goldfinch Sits on a Sunflower Eating Seeds
Photographic Print
Do you have a birdfeeder? These are one of the easiest birds to attract! It's very easy. Put a feeder in a wide-open area, away from traffic, and you're likely to get Goldfinches. Be patient! They have to find it. For you birdfeeder enthusiasts...
Bird Nerd Birding Ornithology Tote Bag
Price: $16.99 
Put it out, they will come!
The American Goldfinch is one of the most populous birds in North America! Try putting out thistle or sunflower seed to attract them.
Highly Adaptable Birds!
The American Goldfinch is excellent at adapting to new environments
Birdfeeders have benefited American Goldfinches greatly. Preferring open expanses, they have adapted well to development, further aided by birdfeeders. This had made them very plentiful!
Songs & Breeding of the American Goldfinch
Goldfinches generally mate for life and are very social and gregarious. They like to stay in small flocks. Mating and nesting season is usually in mid-summer, around June and July. During these months you'll see the brightest Goldfinch colors.
Goldfinch songs should be easily identifiable since they are so plentiful and you'll hear them very often.
Some common Goldfinch songs:
- tsee-tsi-tsi-tsit
- per-chic-o-ree
- teeteeteeteete
American Goldfinches on Amazon
Floral and Bird Mugs
The American Goldfinch displayed on this coffee mug with a beautiful floral background. Wrap around image looks perfect on this mug. Great gift for the bird lover you know!
Price: $15.99
Goldfinch Shirts, mugs, hats, kids stuff, and more!
Be sure to check out our online store, Kiwi's Outback for cool Goldfinch stuff!
More Bird Lenses....
Sound off about Goldfinches!
Have a Goldfinch roost nearby, or are you frequently visited by Goldfinches? Leave your story here!
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pawpaw911
Jun 16, 2011 @ 7:55 pm | delete
- Nice lens. We have a few come in every year.
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Mary Kane
May 9, 2011 @ 9:33 am | delete
- We just had a huge goldfinch migration in Chesterfield County Missouri. Although we always have a nice population this was amazing. Another beautiful visitor that hangs with the gold finches is an Indigo Bunting. Only one, so far as we know but what a little beauty.
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sukkran Apr 1, 2011 @ 8:01 am | delete
- beautiful american goldfinch. thanks for the info. ~blessed~
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annmackiemiller Mar 17, 2011 @ 7:00 pm | delete
- they really are lovely. thumbs up and a sprinkling of green Angel dust on St Patrick's Day
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TylaMac
Feb 23, 2011 @ 9:38 pm | delete
- Goldfinches are one of the most numerous birds in my yard this time of year. I put out a thistle sock for the Great Backyard Bird Count and I counted 18 finches on and around it. They do seem to be increasing over the last few years. I love to see them in the spring when the males start getting their bright yellow feathers and black caps. They don't start pairing off and nesting until early summer here in the Deep South.
*Blessed by a Squid Angel.*
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joanmiller
May 29, 2011 @ 1:11 pm | delete
- Do you know why the goldfinches left my thistle feeder. i just started attracting them and they stayed for about two months and now their gone. Do you know how I can get them back?
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Tipi
Jan 16, 2011 @ 10:02 pm | delete
- When I was growing up in the 50's and 60's, we almost threw a party every time Goldfinch would nest in our yard. They always nested in a tall birch tree. They weren't as common back then but we didn't have feeders. I'm glad you mentioned that feeders have increased the population, I was wondering why there seems to be so many more of them now. Wonderfully done!
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Nancy D.
Nov 11, 2010 @ 9:18 am | delete
- Have had as many as 12 gold finches hanging on thistle socks. Up to 20 at a time! Tried feeders for many years. My son told me about socks. They work. Every day many birds sadly today Nov. 11, only one little finch eating. Did they all leave at once? I also had a hawk swoop down once and take at least one. Is it the hawk incident or do they fly South? I hope it is nothing that I did. Help me out.
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kiwisoutback Nov 11, 2010 @ 9:40 am | delete
- It could be the weather, it could be that someone else in the neighborhood has another feeder they just put up, or they could have migrated somewhere else. I usually have them most of the year. I'm certain they'll be back - they seem to remember where the feeding spots are and become comfortable there. They could be steering clear of the hawk for a few days, too. It may have spooked them. I have seen the feeding socks, they do seem to work well!
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wilddove6
Nov 9, 2009 @ 9:46 pm | delete
- We have the odd Goldfinch show up here in the Pacific Northwest, but nothing like the numbers I used to experience on the Prairies...I miss them!
Very nice lens!
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by kiwisoutback
The American Goldfinch is one of the most common birds of the Northeast US. Try putting some seed out, you're sure to spot a few!
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Reproduce the Beautiful Sounds of Songbirds!
The Backyard Birdsong Guide: For Eastern and North Central America
The Backyard Birdsong Guide: Eastern and Central North America (Cornell Lab of Ornithology Audio Field Guides)
Amazon Price: $32.50 (as of 06/01/2012)
Ever wondered what bird is making that beautiful sound? Here birds in your own backyard and others with this unique push-button playback songbird book! Flip the page to find new birds and push the button on the side to hear calls from that bird. This is one of a kind gift birders will love, and anyone with a backyard feeder!
Audubon Plush American Goldfinch
The yellow, black capped songbird of Eastern North America
American Goldfinch - Audubon Plush Bird (Authentic Bird Sound)
Amazon Price: $4.00 (as of 06/01/2012)
This plush doll makes authentic calls and sounds that you'll hear these finches often make. Once you hear it, you'll be able to identify the sound anywhere you go!
Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder
Keep away squirrels, attract more finches
Brome 1015 Squirrel Buster Classic
Amazon Price: $44.49 (as of 06/01/2012)
This feeder is perfect for attracting more goldfinches to your feeder, as well as other attractive songbirds! It's squirrel proof, so you won't have to worry about them climbing up, knocking over, and getting all of the seed (don't you hate that?).
