Size and shape
A small finch with a short, conical beak, a small head, long wings, and a short, stubby tail.
American Goldfinch Characteristics
Measurements
Both sexes
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- Length: 4.3-5.1 inches (11-13 cm)
- Weight: 0.4-0.7 oz (11-20 g)
- Wingspan: 7.5-8.7 inches (19-22 cm)
Color pattern
In spring and early summer, adult males are bright yellow. They have a black forehead, black wings with white markings, and white spots above and below the tail. Adult females are paler yellow below, olive above. Winter birds are dull brown, without stripes, with black wings and two pale wings.
Behavior
They are small, active, acrobatic bugs. They cling to weeds and seed socks. Sometimes, they swarm to feeders or the ground below. Goldfinches fly in a bouncy, undulating manner. They often call while flying, which draws attention to them.
HABITAT
The American goldfinch primarily inhabits weedy fields and floodplains. They are home to goldfinch and aster plants. They are also found in cultivated areas, roadsides, orchards, and construction sites. American goldfinches visit feeders year-round, peaking in winter.
Nesting
Nest place
The male and female move together to select a suitable nest site. The female builds the nest, usually in a bush or young tree in a fairly open environment rather than in a forest. The nest is often built high in a bush, where two or three vertical branches meet. It is usually shaded by clumps of leaves or needles above, but it is often visible from below.
Description of the nest
The nest is an open cup of down-lined plant roots and fibers, often woven tightly enough to hold water. The female lays the foundation on the supporting branches with her silk. She makes a covering using “pappus” from the same flowers that goldfinches often feed on. The female takes about 6 days to build the nest. The finished nest is about 3 inches in outer diameter and 2 to 4.5 inches in height.
American Goldfinch on Food
Information about the slot.
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- Package size: 2 to 7 eggs
- Number of liters: 1 to 2 liters
- Egg Length: 1.62 to 1.69 cm (0.6 to 0.7 in)
- Egg width: 1.22 to 1.28 cm (0.5 to 0.5 in)
- Incubation period: 12 to 14 days
- Nesting period: 11 to 17 days
- Description of the eggs: Pale bluish-white, sometimes with small pale brown spots around the large apex.
- Hatching Status: Weak, with gray hair underneath.
Behavior
American goldfinches are acrobatic finches. They swing over the flowers of thistles, dandelions, and other plants to collect seeds. They have a dance flight during which they often emit their chip calls. In spring, the males sing a lot. But, the pairs do not nest until mid-summer, when the thorns and weeds have gone to seed. American goldfinches do not join other songbirds in harassing predators.
CONSERVATION
American goldfinches are common. The North American Bird Survey says their numbers have declined by 0.6% annually since 1966, a total of 27%. Partners in Flight estimates the global breeding population at 44 million. It rates the species 6 out of 20 on the Continental Concern Rating. This shows low conservation concern.
