American Goldfinch

Description

During the summer, the familiar American Goldfinch is brilliant yellow, with black wings, tail, and forehead. The black wings have conspicuous white wing bars. The male has an orange beak. Females are similar but considerably less bright. In winter, the male’s bright plumage is replaced with dull yellow and olive-colored feathers. The winter female resembles the winter male. The American Goldfinch reaches a length of between four and five inches. Goldfinches have a characteristic “bouncing” flight in which they ascend and dip while moving through the air.

Unlike most bids, the Goldfinch nests in the middle of summer rather than in the spring. Females lay 2-7 eggs in a nest placed in a small shrub or bush. Incubation generally lasts 12 days. Nestlings fledge in about two weeks.

Diet

The American Goldfinch eats mostly seeds. It will occasionally take insects. These birds are easily attracted to bird feeders with thistle or sunflower seeds. Goldfinches usually feed in flocks.

Range and Habitat

The American Goldfinch is widespread and breeds through southern Canada and the much of the United States. Breeding populations are only absent from southern portions of the Gulf States and desert regions of the southwest. Winter birds can be found throughout the entire continental United States.Goldfinches usually occur in open country, fields, prairies, roadsides, gardens, and suburban areas.

Status

The Goldfinch is very common. It is the only bird to be represented as state bird by three states in different regions of America (New Jersey, Iowa, Washington).