The American Goldfinch, Carduelis tristis, is a fairly common finch of Canada and the United States.
The brilliant male breeding coloration is unmistakable. The female, immature and non-breeding male are a bit duller in coloration.
It prefers seeds as its main diet, but will take insects as well. It especially prefers the seeds of open meadows.
Classification:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Genus: Carduelis
Species: C. tristis
My photos:
American Goldfinch - Carduelis tristis
American Goldfinch - Okanogan County, Washington State, USA - Taken 1/21/2009
American Goldfinch - Carduelis tristis
American Goldfinch - Okanogan County, Washington State, USA - Taken 1/21/2009
American Goldfinch - Carduelis tristis
American Goldfinch - Okanogan County, Washington State, USA - Taken 1/21/2009
American Goldfinch Non-breeding
American Goldfinch - January 2008
Photos:
American Goldfinch
"American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis Tennessee, USA This photo has been published in an online article Molecule of the Month."
Photo courtesy of Momba
Female American Goldfinch
"The American Goldfinch changes from winter plumage to breeding plumage by a complete molt of its body feathers. It is the only member of its family to have this second molt in the spring; all the other species have just one molt each year in the fall. The American Goldfinch is one of the latest nesting birds. It usually does not start until late June or early July, when most other songbirds are finishing with breeding. The late timing may be related to the availability of suitable nesting materials and seeds for feeding young. The American Goldfinch is gregarious throughout the year. In winter it is found almost exclusively in flocks. In the breeding season it feeds in small groups. Whether it maintains breeding territories is debatable. The American Goldfinch is mostly monogamous, but a number of females switch mates after producing a first brood. The first male takes care of the fledglings while the female goes off to start another brood with a different male. Info from Cornell Lab of Ornithology www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/American_Go… Taken in New Hampshire, USA"
Photo courtesy of The Nature Nook
American Goldfinch
"It is very hot here today. Despite the heat, the goldfinches are finding ripe sunflowers to take seeds from. This little male was working on the flowers for a while when one of those dandy perfect plumage prime of your life males showed up. Aerial goldfinch battles commenced and Mr. Dandy prevailed. This fella comes back when the coast is clear. I’m shooting through double paned glass so the pictures are weird. Sorry about that. Hear an American Goldfinch"
Photo courtesy of Gini~
American Goldfinch
"An American Goldfinch perched on a Goat’s Beard at Bowmont Park"
Photo courtesy of njchow82
An American Goldfinch~~~Nature Nook, uploaded by lilly, category …
An American Goldfinch~~~Nature Nook. tags: bird |. flag as inappropriate send to a friend � add to favorites. "An American Goldfinch~~~Nature Nook". 7 votes, posted by lilly. Vote for t… Read more…
Video:
Commentary:
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