Bird · GBIF taxon 5231640
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristisAlso known as Eastern Goldfinch, Wild Canary, Willow Goldfinch
American goldfinches bring vibrant splashes of lemon yellow to open fields and backyard feeders as they bounce through the air in a characteristic roller-coaster flight pattern. They are strict vegetarians, timing their nesting season to late summer when thistle, sunflower, and wild asters go to seed. During winter, their brilliant yellow plumage molts into a subtle olive-brown, helping them blend into the frosty, dormant landscape.
ColorfulMigratoryVocal
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Thistle Seeds
- Sunflower Seeds
- Alder Catkins
Predators
- Domestic Cats
- Sharp-shinned Hawks
- Garter Snakes
ThreatsHabitat loss, window collisions, domestic cat predation
HabitatsOpen woodlands, weedy fields, orchards, suburban gardens
Life span3 to 6 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyFringillidae
- SpeciesSpinus tristis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Feeder Selection: Offer nyjer or sunflower chips in tube feeders to attract active flocks.
- Native Planting: Grow native thistles, coneflowers, and asters to provide natural foraging sites.
- Water Sources: Maintain a clean birdbath, as these active seed-eaters drink and bathe daily.
Frequent Companion 
Northern Cousin (c) caroline legg, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Frequent Companion (c) MostlyDross, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative "Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria)" by Gregory 'Slobirdr' Smith is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/. · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Birdenheck / CC BY 4.0 · cc-by
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