American goldfinch

The American goldfinch is a small North American bird in the finch family. It is migratory, ranging from mid-Alberta to North Carolina during the breeding season, and from just south of the Canada–United States border to Mexico during the winter.

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Distribution

Region

North America

Typical Environment

Breeds from southern Canada across much of the northern and central United States, extending south to the Carolinas and parts of the interior West. Winters from the southern United States into Mexico, retreating from the coldest northern areas. Occupies weedy fields, meadows, prairies, floodplains, and open woodland edges. Common in suburban gardens and along roadsides where composite flowers and seed-bearing weeds are abundant. Avoids dense, unbroken forests but uses scattered trees and shrubs for nesting.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 2500 m

Climate Zone

Temperate

Characteristics

Size11–13 cm

Wing Span19–22 cm

Male Weight0.013 kg

Female Weight0.012 kg

Life Expectancy6 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 2/5

Useful to know

Breeding males are brilliant lemon-yellow with a black cap, while females and winter birds are olive-brown, reflecting a complete molt after breeding. The species nests late in summer, timing its breeding to the peak of seed plants like thistles. It is one of the few largely vegetarian songbirds, even feeding its young mostly seeds. Its undulating flight is accompanied by a distinctive 'potato-chip' call.

Gallery

Female

Non-breeding plumage

Male (left) and female (right) at a thistle feeder

Nest

Feeding

Feeding from sunflower heads

Behaviour

Temperament

social and active

Flight Pattern

undulating with short rapid wingbeats

Social Behavior

Forms loose colonies in the breeding season and often nests in small groups where seed plants are plentiful. Generally monogamous within a season, weaving neat cup nests from plant fibers and spider silk in shrubs or small trees. Outside the breeding season it gathers in sizable flocks, frequently visiting seed feeders together.

Migratory Pattern

Partial migrant

Song Description

A sweet, rolling series of twitters and trills, often delivered from exposed perches. Flight call is a distinctive rising and falling 'potato-chip' given in synchrony with its bounding flight.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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