American Goldfinch

An American goldfinch (Spinus tristis) is a small North American finch known for its brilliant yellow plumage and its late nesting season, which is timed to coincide with the abundance of thistle and other weed seeds. 🐦

The American goldfinch is a small songbird with a short, conical beak. The male has a brilliant lemon-yellow body, a black cap on its head, and black wings with white markings. The female is a more subdued olive-yellow color. In winter, both sexes molt into a duller, brownish plumage.

American goldfinches are found in a wide variety of habitats, including fields, open woodlands, and suburban areas. They are granivores and their diet consists almost entirely of seeds, particularly those from plants like thistles, sunflowers, and asters.

American goldfinches are a social species that are known for their undulating, bouncy flight. They are one of the last bird species to nest, waiting until mid-summer when their primary food source, thistle seeds, becomes available.