American Goldfinch
Photos by Bruce Dayton

Female American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) Picture

Male American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) Picture

Female Male

ORDER: Passeriformes
FAMILY: Fringillidae (Finches - 17 Species)
SPECIES: American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis)

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American Goldfinch

The American Goldfinch has a winter plumage and a breeding plumage, which are quite different. The American Goldfinch is sometimes referred to as the Eastern Goldfinch or wild canary. They are a common sight at thistle feeders.

SIZE

 Small (4-5") colorful member of the finch family.
DESCRIPTION Male breeding plumage: Brilliant canary yellow body and a striking jet black cap with wing and tail feathers black and an orange bill.

Male Winter Plumage: is a duller olive-brown with some yellow still showing on the head and bill dark grayish brown.

Female breeding plumage: Upperparts yellowish brown. Underparts dull yellow and an orange bill.

Female Winter Plumage: Upperparts olive-green. Underparts olive-yellow and bill dark grayish brown.
NESTING Clutch size ranges from 4-8 eggs, which are incubated in 10 to 14 days. Nest of plant fibers and down, built in a tree by the female.
RANGE They are common in most of the United States at different periods of the year.
HABITAT They habitat weedy fields, groves, thickets and farmlands.
DIET Their favorite foods are thistle and teasel seeds. They also eat other small seeds and insects.
American Goldfinch
Sapsucker Woods Bird Sanctuary
Tompkins County, New York
CLICK - Male American Goldfinch Picture CLICK - Male American Goldfinch Picture
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CLICK - American Goldfinch Picture
AmGf_373A_039508
Groton Township
Tompkins County, New York
CLICK - Male American Goldfinch Picture CLICK - Male American Goldfinch Picture
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American Goldfinch
Drawing by
Louis Agassiz Fuertes		 CLICK - American Goldfinch Drawing
INTERESTING FACTS
Bird feeding tips - Summer

1. Fruits and jelly: Apple and orange halves, bananas and a little jelly on a tray.
2. Peanuts and a commercial nut mix.
3. A cylindrical feeder stocked with white Proso millet.
4. A general feeder filled with the staples, such as a mixture of (mostly) black oil sunflower seeds, cracked corn, safflower seeds and a blend mixture.
5. Don’t forget the Hummingbird syrup (sugar-water) feeder.
6. Source of fresh water

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The images on this web page are copyrighted © 2003 - 2007 by Bruce Dayton. I want to share my photos to promote conservation and to help people identify and learn about the birds and other creatures that live with us on the North American continent. Please do not use any of my work in any non-profit or for-profit project without first getting written permission from me. You can ask for permission by emailing me at webmaster@wildlifeofnorthamerica.info. All reproductions must bear an appropriate credit.

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American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis)
Updated 10-19-2008