American Goldfinch

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Does the American Goldfinch Look Familiar to you?

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.

What do American Goldfinches Look Like? 

The appearance of these beautiful, common songbirds

A family of Goldfinches munching away on the feeder, copyright Kiwi's Outback



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.

American Goldfinch in Summer Plumage


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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.

A Goldfinch family braves the snow to eat. Image: Copyright Kiwi's Outback

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 Ornament (Round)

A beautiful round ornament featuring two brightly colored American Goldfinches perched on a branch.

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American Goldfinch Poll 

A Male American Goldfinch Sits on a Sunflower Eating Seeds

A Male American Goldfinch Sits on a Sunflower Eating Seeds
Photographic Print

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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...

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Put it out, they will come!

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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

Goldfinches generally migrate in small, sporadic flocks. They also are very dexterous with their feet for feeding. This allows them to eat quickly, methodically, and often. Watch them on a bird feeder and you'll notice how quickly them make short work of a birdfeeder!

Winter colors of the American Goldfinch



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 

One of the Goldfinches favorite foods: Sunflower Seeds! Image: Copyright Kiwi's Outback



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



Goldfinch Landing on Goldenrod


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The beautiful American Goldfinch perched atop some summer flowers. Looks great on this journal which can be used as a day planner and organizer.

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Goldfinch Videos on YouTube 


Goldfinches

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Three American Goldfinches Feeding

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Carduelis tristis American Goldfinch

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American Goldfinch

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Goldfinch eating from sunflower

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American Goldfinches on Amazon 

Carduelis tristis

American Goldfinch (Wild Bird Guides)

Amazon Price: (as of 12/17/2009) Buy Now

National Audubon Society Sunflower Hearts Bird Seed, 7 Lb

Amazon Price: $15.99 (as of 12/17/2009) Buy Now

 

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!

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Goldfinch Shirts, mugs, hats, kids stuff, and more!

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Be sure to check out our online store, Kiwi's Outback for cool Goldfinch stuff!

More Bird Lenses.... 

Sound off about Goldfinches! 

A Goldfinch, enjoying his feast: image copyright Kiwi's Outback



Have a Goldfinch roost nearby, or are you frequently visited by Goldfinches? Leave your story here!

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  • Reply
    wilddove6 wilddove6 Nov 9, 2009 @ 9:46 pm
    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!
  • Reply
    duper duper Jul 28, 2009 @ 3:43 am
    I have a good, true story about American Goldfinches if anyone is interested..it has a few pics in it too.. if anyone is interested I would be happy to email it to anyone (yes, I wrote the story and is true) send me an email at duper241 at aol dot com. (No this is not spam) I will email the story and pics in .PDF format..... just send me back your thoughts on it.....
  • Reply
    CoolFoto CoolFoto Feb 28, 2009 @ 3:38 pm
    Found you on Naturally Native Squids group. 5* and lensroll to What is the name of this bird? Please visit and see if you know any of the unknown birds. www.squidoo.com/identify-birds
  • Reply
    naturegirl7 naturegirl7 Oct 30, 2008 @ 5:28 pm
    We enjoy the flocks of Goldfinches each fall and winter. We used to have hundreds at a time, but in recent years the numbers at our feeders have declined severely. Now we're lucky to see 25 at a time. Welcome to the Naturally Native Squids group. Don't forget to add your lens link to the appropriate plexo and vote for it.
  • Reply
    valmont valmont Apr 21, 2008 @ 4:41 am
    Hi. Saw you on the stores board. 5 star lens here!

    http://www.squidoo.com/games4mates
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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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