Songbirds

American Goldfinch

(Spinus tristis)

Species Description

**Description:** Small, social finches; breeding males are brilliant sun-yellow with a black forehead and wings, while females are olive-brown.

**Size & Weight:** 4.3–5.1 inches long. Weighs 0.4–0.7 oz.

**Sexual Dimorphism:** Extreme seasonal dimorphism. Males are bright yellow in summer; females and winter males are a dull greenish-brown.

**Life Cycle:** Late nesters, waiting until July or August to build nests so they can use thistle down for lining.

**Habitat:** Meadows, field edges, and roadsides where sunflowers and thistles are abundant.

💡 Fun Facts

Goldfinches are one of the last birds to nest each year, waiting for thistle seeds to ripen.
Aerial Identification: They are easily recognized in flight by their "bouncy" or undulating flight pattern and a distinctive four-syllable call often described as sounding like "po-ta-to-chip".
Winter Hardiness: They are considered part of the "hardy bunch" of songbirds that can be seen in the Pennsylvania Wilds during frigid winter days.
Caterpillar Protein: While primarily seed-eaters, they have been observed supplementing their diet with protein from Eastern Tent Caterpillar nests during colder months.
They are the only finch that molts its body feathers twice a year, once in late winter and once in late summer.