Rex Trulove
The American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) is a very bright and beautiful bird that is found throughout the US, except for Alaska and Hawaii. If you’ve been around the US and have been observant, you’ve probably seen it.
This bird is a permanent resident of most of the lower 48 states, except for the extreme south and along the east and west coasts. Even in these areas, it is a common visitor. The range is from well into Canada to middle and southern Mexico.
Goldfinches are small, somewhat smaller than sparrows, but in the breeding season, the males are tremendously colorful. They are bright yellow, with black and white thrown in for good measure.
The habitat they inhabit is also extremely variable; fields, flood plains, young forests, roadsides, meadows, gardens, and orchards. They commonly take seeds from bird feeders. They are social birds and usually occur in small or large flocks.
Goldfinches eat small seeds and an occasional insect. The nests are built in trees that provide plenty of shade and they lay 2-7 eggs. They are among the lastest finches to breed in the wild, usually nesting in July and August.
American goldfinches are among the most beautiful small birds. Don’t you agree?
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Question of
Have you ever seen a goldfinch?
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Yes
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No
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I’m not sure
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Question of
Have you even heard of a goldfinch?
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Yes
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No
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American Goldfinch is certainly a beautiful little bird. It is great to see birds that are smaller than a sparrow.
We actually have a few birds here that are smaller than sparrows, but nice to have around.
We have gold finches here but not like these.
There are a number of subspecies of goldfinches. Some of them even have reddish coloring as well as some yellow. During the migrations of goldfinches, the yellow might even be missing, replaced with olive-green. The yellow is breeding color for the males, so when they are migrating, the breeding season is over and they are more of a drab color.
The bird looks very nice but I have not seen such bird here.
It is especially nice when there are a bunch of them. They are constantly moving, so it is a lot of motion of yellow against the background.
I love this type of birds, it is so beautiful and colorful.
I agree. It is a joy to see a flock of them come through.
we used to get them in Indiana all the time.
We have a lot of them in Montana, too. They are permanent residents here, but there is a peak time in the late spring and early summer when they are most commonly seen. That is when the males are especially brilliant, in their breeding colors. Later in the year, the males are sort of an olive drab color and they are easy to miss. They’re still there, but not nearly as noticeable.
They are very striking in full spring colors! Thanks as always for a great share Rex!
We sometimes have whole flocks flying around of these bright colored little birds. They are quite fast and agile. Very good presentation of a somwhat common bird of North America.
Thank you. I especially love it when the goldfinches are out in the yard with mountain bluebirds are, too. The contrast between the bright yellow and the blue is fantastic.
Infact I have never heard about gold finch
They are surprisingly common in the US.
That’s really nice , is it available in the market as well ?
Yes I do see these from time to time in my yard but never enough to get a photo. They move very quickly and are easily startled.
We have them here in Montana, too. There are nesting pairs. The ones we have aren’t easily startled, but they seem to be constantly moving.