adult male in breeding plumage (Michigan, USA; 2010-08-23)


American Goldfinch
Carduelis tristis

Native Range: North America and Middle America

Notes: bounding flight with distinctive calls; often incorporate thistle-down to build their nests.

bright yellow and black; pink bill (California, USA; 2007-06-09)
male molting into breeding plumage (California, USA; 2009-04-11)

male in nonbreeding plumage; dark wings, tail (Michigan, USA; 2010-08-24)
male in nonbreeding plumage; bold wingbars (California, USA; 2007-03-11)
female in breeding plumage; bill light pink (Michigan, USA; 2007-08-16) female in breeding plumage (Wisconsin, USA; 2010-08-25)
breeding female; less bright than male (Wisconsin, USA; 2010-08-25) female in nonbreeding plumage (California, USA; 2010-07-06)
nonbreeding female; buffy wingbars(California, USA; 2006-09-28) breeding male eating favorite food (Michigan, USA; 2007-08-16)