Spring would not be spring…

Spring would not be spring without bird songs

A Francis M. Chapman Quotation

American Goldfinch

The American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis), also known as the Eastern Goldfinch and Wild Canary, is a North American bird in the finch family. American Goldfinches give the impression of being high-spirited birds, always happy and full of gaiety.

Identification Tips:
• Length: 4.25 inches
• Small, seed-eating bird
• Short, conical bill
• Short, forked tail

American Goldfinch: Have you seen this bird?

Basic:
• Plumage held in Fall and Winter
• Yellow face
• Brownish-olive upperparts
• Whitish underparts
• Blackish wings with pale wing bars

The goldfinch breeds so late in the season that full-size leaves afford ample concealment for the nest. Nesting sites are often not over 300 yards from feeding areas and the better the food supply, the greater the density of nests. The species is tolerant in respect to territorial boundaries.

The goldfinch lays from four to six eggs with sets of five being the most common.

The gold finch is primarily an eater of seeds, notably those of the composite family. Among its favorite food plants may be mentioned grey birch, alder, thistle, sunflower, evening primrose, ragweed, and above all, perhaps, the dandelion.

It is, however, no uncommon sight to see the birds in spring, when caterpillars are small, picking them from their webs.