American Goldfinch Facts

 Bird Watching In Southern Ontario

The American Goldfinch

 

As is true with most bird species, male birds are much prettier than the females, and the American Goldfinch is no exception. During the months of spring and summer the male American goldfinch is a spectacular bright yellow color with a black cap and black wings that have a bit of white. Compare that with the rather olive drab and pale yellow color of the female American goldfinch. But once fall and winter arrive the male American goldfinch looks just as dull as its female counterpart, in fact you would think that you are looking at a completely different bird, that's how dramatic the change in appearance is of the male.

American goldfinches are found across most of the United States and up into Canada across the southern section, including right here in southern Ontario. In many parts they stay all year round but in winter you would have a difficult time spotting them from among other birds because they lose their bright yellow plumage and black caps making then similar in appearance to that of other birds such as sparrows.

 Goldfinches like to hang out in large flocks and are frequent visitors to backyard gardens. They enjoy feeding on thistle and other weed seeds. But don't worry, your backyard doesn't need to be overgrown with weeds to attract goldfinches, an easy way to get them into your backyard is to fill a bird feeder with black oil sunflower seeds. Once they know your yard has a feeder containing sunflower seeds they will be coming back again and again. Because of their social nature goldfinches will gladly share the bird feeder with other birds so don't be surprised if the feeder gets a wee bit overcrowded.

Goldfinches are not aggressive but will defend their territory during nest building season. They are quite active and don't stay perched on a branch for very long. It never gets boring watching these little birds with their notched black tails and a few white bars in their wings, and did I mention that black cap? Very cool looking birds indeed!

 Did You Know?

• American Goldfinches are sometimes called "Wild Canaries" because of their yellow color
• During winter they make burrows in the snow for added warmth
• The American goldfinch molts twice a year, in late winter and in late summer
• Though American goldfinches stay all year long in many places, they will migrate if the weather gets too cold or there is a lack of food source. 

 

 Birds In Art

Being the pretty bird that the American goldfinch is, it is a favorite subject for many artists who enjoy painting nature scenes, including me. 

Here is a digital painting I recently made of an American goldfinch perched on a tree branch among dogwood flowers, or apple blossoms, take your pick (no pun intended). 

It can be purchased on a variety of gift products such as pillows, coasters, cell phone cases and art prints including posters, at Redbubble

 

 

 

 

 

Hope you enjoyed reading this short article about one of North America's favorite birds.