American goldfinch

Spinus tristis

The American goldfinch (Spinus tristis) is a small North American bird in the finch family.

Family: Fringillidae Order: passerines Conservation: Least Concern

About the American goldfinch

The American goldfinch (Spinus tristis) is a small North American bird in the finch family. It is migratory, ranging from mid-Alberta to North Carolina during the breeding season, and from just south of the Canada–United States border to Mexico during the winter. The only finch in its subfamily to undergo a complete molt, the American goldfinch displays sexual dichromatism: the male is a vibrant yellow in the summer and an olive color during the winter, while the female is a dull yellow-brown shade which brightens only slightly during the summer. The male displays brightly colored plumage during the breeding season to attract a mate. The American goldfinch is a granivore and adapted for the consumption of seedheads, with a conical beak to remove the seeds and agile feet to grip the stems o

Fun Facts About American goldfinch

The only finch in its subfamily to undergo a complete molt, the American goldfinch displays sexual dichromatism: the male is a vibrant yellow in the summer and an olive color during the winter, while the female is a dull yellow-brown shade which brightens only slightly during the summer.
The male displays brightly colored plumage during the breeding season to attract a mate.
It may behave territorially during nest construction, but this aggression is short-lived.
Its breeding season is tied to the peak of food supply, beginning in late July, which is relatively late in the year for a finch.
It is migratory, ranging from mid-Alberta to North Carolina during the breeding season, and from just south of the Canada–United States border to Mexico during the winter.

Conservation Status

The American goldfinch is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. This species is currently stable and not at significant risk of population decline.

View on IUCN Red List →

Taxonomy & Classification

Order	passerines
Family	Fringillidae
Genus	Spinus
Species	Spinus tristis

Range & Habitat