How to Identify the American Goldfinch

The brightly colored American Goldfinch can be found across much of the United States and Canada. The Goldfinch has the distinction of a complete molt prior to breeding season when its olive feathers transform to a brilliant yellow in early spring. This transformation is usually observed when a sudden flash of yellow visits backyards and feeders, leading many to assume that the Goldfinch has just arrived for the summer.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Observe winter birds carefully. Goldfinches are a dull olive green on the crown and back with a pale yellow on the chest throughout the winter, with the male only slightly more colorful that the female. The wings and tail feathers are black with white stripes and the under belly is white. Females retain the olive coloring throughout he year. Juveniles are brown on the back and crown with a pale yellow underbelly. Their wings and tails are dark brown and the wing bars are buff.

2. Watch for the tell tale flight pattern of the Goldfinch. It flies in short bursts and appears to bounce calling frequently in flight. During mating season they gather in small groups, but during non-breeding time they feed in larger flocks, often settling on feeders in groups. They will eagerly eat sunflower seeds, but prefer thistle seed and will cling happily to thistle feeders or thistle socks hung from tree branches.

3. Examine the bird closely. Use birding binoculars, if necessary. The Goldfinch has a small conical beak that is pale gray or pink and has pink legs and feet. The overall size is a mere 4 to 5 inches with a wingspan of 7 to 8 inches. The Goldfinch is an energetic bird that darts quickly to and from feeders in a flurry of color.

4. Attract the goldfinch to your yard by providing black oil sunflower seeds in a hanging feeder or by hanging a thistle feeder designed specifically for finches. These feeders are readily available where birding supplies are sold. Thistle seed can also be offered in a fine mesh thistle sock. The cost of thistle seed is considerably higher than sunflower seeds and is not generally necessary to attract Goldfinches. Choose whichever fits your budget and is readily eaten by the finches in your area.

5. Watch for signs of nest building in late summer when thistles bloom. The American Goldfinch prefers the soft fluffy down of thistle for lining the nest and depends on the abundance of thistle seeds for fledglings. Because of this, Goldfinches mate and raise their young long after most other birds have completed breeding.

Resources

• Cornell University's Birding Web Page
• U.S. Geological Survey