American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis)

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American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis)

Photographer: Charles H. Warren

Length: 4-5 in.
Habitat: farmlands, weedy fields with scattered trees, river groves, suburbs, parks, at feeders.

The American Goldfinch male is bright yellow, with black forehead, wings and tail. The female is olive-green above, lighter below with white rump; Both sexes are yellowish brown in winter.

Goldfinches bree late in the summer, when thistle-down is available for their tightly woven nests. Feeding flocks can be located by their song, chirps interspersed with swe-si-iees or per-chick-o-rees, which they also utter in flight.