Spinus tristis
Table of Contents
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: Animalia |
| Phylum: Chordata |
| Class: Aves |
| Order: Passeriformes |
| Family: Fringillidae |
| Genus: Spinus |
| Species: Spius tristis |
Conservation Status
Identifying Features
Adults are 5" long with 9" wingspans.
The American goldfinch male is a bright yellow with black wings and crown during the breeding season.
Females are a soft yellow, and do not have the distinct black cap.
Young and immature goldfinchs are a mix of brown and soft yellow.
Over the winter all goldfinches are a duller brown.
Habitat & Range
American goldfinches live in fields and forest edges.
Their range reaches across much of the United States. In the breeding season, their range reaches through southern Canada, and during their winter they shift to the southern United States and Mexico.
In New York they are year-round residents.
Behavior
American goldfinches feed off of seeds as well as tree buds and insects.
Their song is a sweet rising and falling “to-WEE to-WEE to-WEE tweer tweer ti ti ti” or “pur-chick-or-ee”.
Life Cycle
The American goldfinch nests in shrubs in open areas, laying between 1 and 2 broods in a season.
Featured image by Will Sweet.