American Goldfinch

Photo: Roland Jordahl

• Scientific Name: Carduelis tristis.
• Family: Finch.
• Length: 5 inches.
• Wingspan: 9 inches.
• Distinctive Markings: In spring and summer, males are bright yellow with black wings, tail and forehead. Females are a duller yellow with white wing bars. In winter, both males and females are olive brown with wing bars.
• Nest: Cup-shaped nest, lined with thistle or milkweed down. Lays four to six pale-blue eggs.
• Song: Melodic flight call, "per-chick-o-ree, per-chick-o-ree." Courtship son is a canary-like sweet song, rising and falling.
• Habitat: Open areas like yards, fields, fencerows and groves.
• Diet: Seeds and berries.
• Backyard Favorites: Supply nyjer (thistle) in a tube feeder with multiple ports, or in a nylon stocking.

Listen to this bird’s song