Birds of the Sanctuary: American Goldfinch
The American Goldfinch can be found throughout much of North America, particularly northern states east of the Rockies. Breeding males are small, brilliantly-colored birds with black foreheads and black wings with white bars.
Goldfinches are often found flocking together with House Finches.
Non-breeding males and breeding females are similar, having dull olive plumage.
The coloration of some Goldfinches may vary significantly; this non-breeding female appears nearly albino. Such variations are diet-related.
Large flocks pass through here, and sometimes the ground is swarming with them.
While they'll eat practically any type of seed, they're most fond of nyler or thistle seeds, as well as black oil sunflower. A springtime flock can empty several of these large feeders in a day.
