Eastern or American Goldfinch
Male in summer plumage
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae Genus: Carduelis Species: C. tristis
Binomial name
Carduelis tristis (Linnaeus, 1758)
Range/distribution map of the American Goldfinch.       Summer-only range;       Year-round range;       Winter-only range
Synonyms
Astragalinus tristis The conservation status of a species is an indicator of the likelihood of that species continuing to survive either in the present day or the future. ... Image File history File links Status_iucn3. ... Least Concern (LC) is an IUCN category assigned to extant species or lower taxa which have been evaluated but do not qualify for any other category. ... The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (also known as the IUCN Red List and Red Data List), created in 1963, is the worlds most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species and can be found here. ... For other uses, see Scientific classification (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Animal (disambiguation). ... Typical Classes See below Chordates (phylum Chordata) are a group of animals that includes the vertebrates, together with several closely related invertebrates. ... For other uses, see Bird (disambiguation). ... Families Many, see text A passerine is a bird of the giant order Passeriformes. ... For other meanings, see Finch (disambiguation). ... Species Many, see text The genus Carduelis is a large group of birds in the finch family Fringillidae. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Carl Linnaeus, Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as  , (May 13, 1707[1] – January 10, 1778), was a Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist[2] who laid the foundations for the modern scheme of nomenclature. ... In scientific nomenclature, synonyms are different scientific names used for a single taxon. ...

The American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis), also known as the Eastern Goldfinch and Wild Canary, is a North American bird in the finch family. It is migratory, ranging from southern Canada to North Carolina during the breeding season, and from just south of the Canadian border to Mexico during the winter. North American redirects here. ... For other uses, see Bird (disambiguation). ... For other meanings, see Finch (disambiguation). ... The hierarchy of scientific classification In biological classification, family (Latin: familia, plural familiae) is a rank, or a taxon in that rank. ... Flock of Barnacle Geese during autumn migration Bird migration refers to the regular seasonal journeys undertaken by many species of birds. ... Official language(s) English Capital Raleigh Largest city Charlotte Largest metro area Charlotte metro area Area  Ranked 28th  - Total 53,865 sq mi (139,509 km²)  - Width 150 miles (240 km)  - Length 560[1] miles (900 km)  - % water 9. ...

The only finch in its subfamily which undergoes a complete molt, the American Goldfinch displays sexual dimorphism in its coloration; the male is a vibrant yellow in the summer and an olive color during the winter months, 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. ... In birds, moulting or molting is the routine shedding of old feathers. ... Female (left) and male Common Pheasant, illustrating the dramatic difference in both color and size, between the sexes Sexual dimorphism is the systematic difference in form between individuals of different sex in the same species. ... Closeup on a single white feather A feather is one of the epidermal growths that forms the distinctive outer covering, or plumage, on a bird. ...

The American Goldfinch are granivores and adapted for the consumption of seedheads, with a conical beak to remove the seeds and agile feet to grip the stems of seedheads while feeding. It is a social bird, and will gather in large flocks while feeding and migrating. 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. This species is generally monogamous, and produces one brood each year. Red (Common) Crossbill In zoology, a granivore is an animal which selectively eats the nutrient-rich seeds produced by plants, including those of gymnosperms. ... For other uses, see Adaptation (disambiguation). ... The beak, bill or rostrum is an external anatomical structure of birds which, in addition to eating, is used for grooming, manipulating objects, killing prey, probing for food, courtship, and feeding their young. ... In ethology, sociobiology and behavioral ecology, the term territory refers to any geographical area that an animal of a particular species consistently defends against conspecifics (and, occasionally, animals of other species). ... In monogamy (Greek: monos = single/only and gamos = marriage) a person has only one spouse at a time (as opposed to polygamy). ...

Human activity has generally benefited the American Goldfinch. It is often found in residential areas, attracted to bird feeders installed by humans, which increases its survival rate in these areas. Deforestation by humans also creates open meadow areas which are the preferred habitat of the American Goldfinch. A birdfeeder or bird feeder is a device placed out-of-doors, to supply seeds such as millet, sunflower seeds, safflowerseed, rapeseed, or canola seed to birds. ... This article is about the process of deforestation in the environment. ... Look up habitat in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Taxonomy

The American Goldfinch was one of the many species originally described by Linnaeus in his eighteenth century work, Systema Naturae.^[2] It was initially included in the genus Spinus, a group containing New World goldfinches and siskins, but in 1976, Spinus was merged into the genus Carduelis as a subgenus.^[3] Its closest relatives are the Lesser Goldfinch (C. psaltria), Lawrence's Goldfinch (C. lawrencei), and the siskins. Though it shares a name with the European Goldfinch, the two are in separate subgenera and are not directly related.^[4] Carduelis is derived from carduus, the Latin word for thistle, while the species name, tristis, is Latin for 'sorrowful'.^[5] There are four recognized subspecies of the American Goldfinch:^[6] Carl Linnaeus, Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as  , (May 13, 1707[1] – January 10, 1778), was a Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist[2] who laid the foundations for the modern scheme of nomenclature. ... Cover of the tenth edition of Linnaeuss Systema Naturae (1758). ... For other uses, see Genus (disambiguation). ... A number of small birds in the finch family Fringillidae are named as siskins. ... Species Many, see text The genus Carduelis is a large group of birds in the finch family Fringillidae. ... In biology, a subgenus is a taxonomic grade intermediate between genus and species. ... Binomial name Carduelis psaltria (Say, 1823) The Lesser or Dark-backed Goldfinch (Carduelis psaltria) is a very small songbird of the Americas. ... Binomial name Carduelis lawrencei (Cassin, 1850) The Lawrences Goldfinch, Carduelis lawrencei, is a small songbird of North America. ... A number of small birds in the finch family Fringillidae are named as siskins. ... Binomial name Carduelis carduelis (Linnaeus, 1758) Carduelis carduelis carduelis 1 summer 2 all year Carduelis carduelis caniceps 3 summer 4 all year The Goldfinch or European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) is a small passerine bird in the finch family. ... For other uses, see Latin (disambiguation). ... Milk thistle flowerhead Thistledown a method of seed dispersal by wind. ... This article is about the zoological term. ...

• C. t. tristis is the most common of the subspecies. Its summer range is from southern Canada to Colorado, and east to the Carolinas. Its winter range is from southern Canada south to Florida and central Mexico.^[7]

• C. t. pallidus is differentiated from other subspecies by its paler body color, stronger white markings and, in males, a larger black cap. It is slightly larger than C. t. tristis. The summer range is from British Columbia to western Ontario, south to Colorado and west to Oregon. In winter, the range extends from southern Canada and northern California, south to Mexico.^[7]

• C. t. jewetti is smaller and darker than the other subspecies. It occurs on the coastal slope of the Cascade Mountains from southern British Columbia to central California, overlapping with the range of C. t. pallidus.^[7]

• C. t. salicamans occurs west of the Sierra Nevada range during the summer and in south and central Baja California to the Mohave and Colorado Deserts in winter. In winter, the plumage of both sexes is browner than other subspecies, and in summer, the male's black cap is smaller than that of other subspecies.^[7]

Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Largest metro area Denver-Aurora Metro Area Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... The Carolinas is a collective term used in the United States to refer to the states of North and South Carolina together. ... This article is about the U.S. State of Florida. ... Motto: Splendor sine occasu (Latin: Splendour without diminishment) Capital Victoria Largest city Vancouver Official languages English (de facto) Government Lieutenant-Governor Steven Point Premier Gordon Campbell (BC Liberal) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament House seats 36 Senate seats 6 Confederation July 20, 1871 (6th province) Area  Ranked 5th Total 944... Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Latin: Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Official languages English (de facto) Government Lieutenant-Governor David C. Onley Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament House seats 107 Senate seats 24 Confederation July 1, 1867 (1st) Area... Official language(s) English Capital Denver Largest city Denver Largest metro area Denver-Aurora Metro Area Area  Ranked 8th  - Total 104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)  - Width 280 miles (451 km)  - Length 380 miles (612 km)  - % water 0. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... “Cascades” redirects here. ... This article is about the mountain range in the Western United States. ... Location within Mexico Municipalities of Baja California Country Capital Municipalities 5 Largest City Tijuana Government  - Governor José Guadalupe Osuna Millán (PAN)  - Federal Deputies PAN: 8  - Federal Senators Alejandro González (PAN) Rafael Díaz (PAN) Fernando Castro (PRI) Area Ranked 12th  - Total 69,921 km² (26,996. ... Mojave Desert The Mojave or Mohave Desert occupies a significant portion of Southern California and parts of Utah, Nevada and Arizona. ... The Colorado Desert (yellow) showing Joshua Tree National Park The Colorado Desert is a large arid depression in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of California and the northeastern portion of the Mexican state of Baja California. ...

Description

Male American Goldfinch in winter plumage.

The American Goldfinch is a small finch, 11–13 centimeters (4–5 in) in length, with a wingspan of 19–22 centimeters (7–9 in). It weighs between 11–20 grams (0.39–0.71 oz).^[8] The beak is small, conical, and pink for most of the year, but turns bright orange with the spring molt in both sexes.^[9] The shape and size of the beak are a result of adaptation, to aid in the extraction of seeds from the seed heads of thistles, sunflowers, and the other plants which make up its diet.^[10] Image File history File links Download high resolution version (795x1065, 115 KB) Summary Female American Goldfinch in winter plumage. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (795x1065, 115 KB) Summary Female American Goldfinch in winter plumage. ... The distance AB is the wing span of this Aer Lingus Airbus A320. ... A ripe red jalapeño cut open to show the seeds For other uses, see Seed (disambiguation). ... Milk thistle flowerhead Thistledown a method of seed dispersal by wind. ... For other uses, see Sunflower (disambiguation). ... In nutrition, the diet is the sum of food consumed by a person or other organism. ...

The American Goldfinch undergoes a molt in the spring and fall. The sexual dimorphism displayed in plumage coloration is especially pronounced after the spring molt, when the bright color of the male's summer plumage is needed to attract a mate.^[10] It is the only cardueline finch to undergo a molt twice a year; other finches change plumage color by the gradual wearing-down of the feathers, molting only once each year.^[11] During the winter moult it sheds all its feathers, in the spring, it sheds all but the wing and tail feathers, which are dark olive in the female and black in the male.^[10] The markings on these feathers remain identical through each molt, with large white bars on the wings, and white feathers at the edges of the short, notched tail.^[9] Two feathers Feathers are one of the epidermal growths that form the distinctive outer covering, or plumage, on birds. ...

Once the spring molt is complete, the body of the male is a brilliant lemon yellow, a color produced by carotenoid pigments from plant materials in its diet,^[12] with a striking jet black cap and white rump that is visible during flight.^[13] The female is an olive yellow, with a yellow bib.^[11] After the fall molt, the bright summer feathers are replaced with duller plumage. The goldfinch becomes buff below and olive-brown above, with a pale yellow face and bib. The fall plumage is almost identical in both sexes; the only markings which differentiate the sexes are the yellow shoulder patches of the male.^[14] In some winter ranges, the goldfinches lose all traces of yellow, becoming a predominantly medium tan-gray color with an olive tinge evident only on close viewing. The orange ring surrounding Grand Prismatic Spring is due to carotenoid molecules, produced by huge mats of algae and bacteria. ... Natural Ultramarine pigment in powdered form. ... For other uses of the term, see Buff Buff is a pale yellow-brown colour that got its name from the colour of buffalo leather. ...

The immature American Goldfinch is colored differently from the adult during its first fall and winter. The back is dull brown, and the underside is pale yellow. The shoulders and tail are dull black with buff-colored, rather than white, markings on wings and rump. This coloration is the same in both genders.^[14]

The song of the American Goldfinch is a series of musical warbles and twitters, often with a long note. A tsee-tsi-tsi-tsit call is often given in flight; it may also be described as per-chic-o-ree.^[9] While the female incubates the eggs, she calls her returning mate with a soft continuous teeteeteeteete sound. The young begin to use a call of chick-kee or chick-wee shortly before fledging, which they use until they have left the nest entirely.^[10] There are two defense calls made by adults during nesting; a sweeet call made to rally other goldfinches to the nest and distract predators, and a bearbee used to signal to the nestlings to quiet them and get them to crouch down in the nest to become less conspicuous.^[15] Blackbird (Turdus merula), singing male. ... The word incubate in the context of birds refers to the development of the chick (embryo) within the egg and the constant temperature required for the development of it over a specific period. ... Fledge is the stage in a young birds life when the feathers and wing muscles are sufficiently developed for flight. ... This snapping turtle is trying to make a meal of a Canada goose, but the goose is too wary. ...

Distribution and habitat

The American Goldfinch prefers open country where weeds thrive, such as fields, meadows, flood plains, as well as roadsides, orchards, and gardens. It may also be found in open deciduous and riparian woodlands and areas of secondary growth.^[16] This habitat preference continues during the spring and fall migrations.^[9] A green field or paddock In agriculture, a field refers generally to an area of land enclosed or otherwise and used for agricultural purposes such as: Cultivating crops Usage as a paddock or generally an enclosure of livestock Land left to lie fallow or as arable land See also Pasture... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Floodplain. ... An orchard is an intentional planting of trees maintained for food production. ... For other uses, see Deciduous (disambiguation). ... A well preserved Riparian strip on a tributary to Lake Erie. ... The forest in Stanley Park, Vancouver, Canada is generally considered to have second and third growth characteristics. ... Look up habitat in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Female American Goldfinch in summer plumage.

The summer breeding range stretches across North America from coast to coast. It is bounded on the north by Saskatchewan and stretches south across North America to North Carolina on the east coast, and northern California on the west coast.^[9] The American Goldfinch is a short-distance migrant, moving south in response to colder weather and lessened food supply. The migration is completed in compact flocks, which travel in an erratic, wavelike flight pattern.^[17] In biology, the range of a species is the geographical area within which that species can be found. ... This article is about the Canadian province. ... Official language(s) English Capital Raleigh Largest city Charlotte Largest metro area Charlotte metro area Area  Ranked 28th  - Total 53,865 sq mi (139,509 km²)  - Width 150 miles (240 km)  - Length 560[1] miles (900 km)  - % water 9. ... This article is about the U.S. state. ... Red-billed Queleas form enormous flocks—sometimes tens of thousands strong. ...

Its winter range includes southern Canada and stretches south through the United States to parts of Mexico. In winter, in the northern part of its range, the finch may move nearer to feeders if they are available. In southern ranges, during winter, they remain in areas similar to the fields and flood plains where they live during the summer months.^[18] A hummingbird feeder - dye should not be used in the liquid provided Bushtits on a suet feeder An empty bird-seed dispenser A birdfeeder, bird feeder, or bird table is a device placed out-of-doors to supply bird food to birds. ...

Behavior

Male at a thistle feeder.

The American Goldfinch is gregarious during the non-breeding season, when it is often found in large flocks, usually with other finches. Flocks generally fly in an undulating pattern, creating a wave-shaped path.^[18] During the breeding season, it lives in loose colonies. While the nest is being constructed, the male will act aggressively toward other males who intrude into his territory, driving them away, and the female reacts in the same way toward other females. This aggressiveness fades once the eggs have been laid.^[19] Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1024x768, 99 KB) Summary American Goldfinch eating thistle seeds at a feeder, by Thomas ONeil. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1024x768, 99 KB) Summary American Goldfinch eating thistle seeds at a feeder, by Thomas ONeil. ... This is a biological article: For a territory administered by another territory see: Colony For a group attempting to affiliate with a Fraternity or Sorority see: Colony (fraternity) In biology, a colony (from Latin colonia) refers to several individual organisms of the same species living closely together, usually for mutual...

The American Goldfinch does not act aggressively toward predators within its territory; its only reaction is alarm calling. Predators include snakes, weasels, squirrels, and Blue Jays, which may destroy eggs or kill young, and hawks and cats, which pose a threat to both young and adults. Concerning animals, an alarm call refers to various vocalizations that they emit in response to danger. ... Families Acrochordidae Aniliidae Anomalepididae Anomochilidae Atractaspididae Boidae Bolyeriidae Colubridae Cylindrophiidae Elapidae Hydrophiidae Leptotyphlopidae Loxocemidae Pythonidae Tropidophiidae Typhlopidae Uropeltidae Viperidae Xenopeltidae Snakes are cold blooded legless reptiles closely related to lizards, which share the order Squamata. ... For other uses, see Weasel (disambiguation). ... Genera Several, see text Squirrel is the common name for rodents of the family Sciuridae. ... For other uses, see Blue Jay (disambiguation). ... For the politican faction referred to as hawks see Bush administration. ... Cats may refer to: Felines, members of the animal family Felidae The domesticated animal, cat The musical, yeah right, I bet that this was really dumb. ...

Diet

The American Goldfinch is a diurnal feeder. It is mainly granivorous, but will occasionally eat insects which it feeds to its young in order to provide them with protein. Its diet consists of the seeds from a wide variety of annual plants, often those of weeds grasses and trees, such as thistle, teasel, dandelion, ragweed, mullein, cosmos, goatsbeard, sunflower, and alder.^[16] However, it also consumes tree buds, maple sap, and berries. It will eat at bird feeders provided by humans, particularly in the winter months, preferring thistle seed.^[20] A diurnal animal (dī-ŭrnəl) is an animal that is active during the daytime and sleeps during the night. ... A representation of the 3D structure of myoglobin showing coloured alpha helices. ... In nutrition, the diet is the sum of food consumed by a person or other organism. ... Peas are an annual plant. ... Milk thistle flowerhead Thistledown a method of seed dispersal by wind. ... Teasel (or teazel) is an herbaceous plant of the Dipsacaceae Family. ... For other uses, see Dandelion (disambiguation). ... Species See text. ... Species L. - Moth mullein - Denseflower mullein L. - White mullein L. - Black mullein L. - Orange mullein L. - Purple mullein L. - Wavyleaf mullein Schrad. ... The Ancient and Medieval cosmos as depicted in Peter Apians Cosmographia (Antwerp, 1539). ... Species about 45, including: Tragopogon coloratus Tragopogon crocifolius Tragopogon cupani Tragopogon dubius Tragopogon floccosus Tragopogon gracilis Tragopogon mirabilis Tragopogon mirus Tragopogon miscellus Tragopogon porrifolius Tragopogon pratensis Tragopogon X crantzii Tragopogon X neohybridus The Goatsbeards or Salsifies are the genus Tragopogon of flowering plants within the family Asteraceae. ... For other uses, see Sunflower (disambiguation). ... Species About 20-30 species, see text. ...

Male perched on a thistle plant.

Unlike some finch species, the American Goldfinch uses its feet extensively in feeding. It frequently hangs from seedheads while feeding in order to reach the seeds more easily. In the spring, the American Goldfinch feeds on the catkins hanging from birches and alders by pulling one up with its beak and using its toes to hold the catkin still against the branch. This dexterity enables it to take advantage of food sources relatively inaccessible to potential competitors, increasing its chances of survival.^[10] Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1280x1024, 359 KB)American Goldfinch -- Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada -- 2005 File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1280x1024, 359 KB)American Goldfinch -- Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada -- 2005 File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... A male catkin on a willow a male flowering catkin on a willow Catkins, or aments, are slim, cylindrical flower clusters, wind-pollinated (anemophilous) and without petals, that can be found in many plant families, including Betulaceae, Fagaceae, Moraceae, and Salicaceae. ...

Reproduction

Male (left) and female (right) at a thistle feeder.

The American Goldfinch begins its breeding season later in the year than any other finch.^[10] This may be related to the abundance of seeds in the late summer months, as seeds represent the majority of their diet.^[19]

The courtship rituals of the American Goldfinch include aerial maneuvers and singing by males, who begin courtship in late July. The flight displays begin as the male pursues the female, who flies in zigzagging evasive patterns. The male is able to signal his quality and fitness, both in the short term (current body condition) and long term (genes), through ornamentation (bill color and plumage).^[21] If a female accepts the male as a mate, the pair will fly in wide circles, as the male warbles throughout the flight.^[10]

Once a male has found a mate, he selects a territory, marking the boundaries by warbling as he flies from perch to perch. After circling the perimeter, he performs two flight displays, first repeating a low, flat flight, then flying in an exaggerated version of normal flight, tucking his wings close to his body, plummeting earthwards and catching himself as he spreads his wings to glide upward in a series of loops. Two or three pairs may group their territories together in a loose colony, perhaps to aid in defense against predators.^[10]

Nest of an American Goldfinch

The nest is built in late summer by the female in the branches of a deciduous shrub or tree at a height of up to 10 meters (30 ft). The nest-building lasts approximately six days, during which time the females works in 10–40 minute increments. The male frequently flies with the female as she collects nesting materials, and though he may carry some materials back to the nest, he leaves its construction to the female. The outer shell of the nest is built of bark, weeds, vines, and grass.^[17] The inside diameter of the finished nest is about 6.5 centimeters (2.5 in).^[16] The rim is reinforced with bark bound by spiderwebs and caterpillar silk, and the cup is lined with plant down from milkweed, thistle, or cattail. The nest is so tightly woven that it can hold water, and it is possible for nestlings to drown following a rainstorm if the parents do not cover the nest.^[11] For other uses, see Deciduous (disambiguation). ... Spiders web redirects here. ...

American Goldfinches lay four to six bluish-white to greenish-blue eggs, which are oval in shape and about 16 x 12 millimeters (.6 x .45 in), roughly the size of a peanut.^[17] It is thought that they are laid during the night.^[18] The eggs are incubated by the female alone, though the male brings her food as she nests, and most mating pairs raise only one brood each year.^[17] In most birds and reptiles, an egg (Latin ovum) is the zygote, resulting from fertilization of the ovum. ... Binomial name L. This article is about the legume. ...

The chicks hatch 12–14 days after incubation begins. Like all passerines, the chicks are altricial; they are born naked, with reddish bodies, pale grey down, and closed eyes.^[22] The mother bird feeds her young regurgitated seeds and insects as they grow.^[13] The hatchings develop quickly, opening their eyes after three days, and completing the growth of olive-brown juvenile plumage after 11–15 days, at which time they begin to practice short flights close to the nest. For up to three weeks after fledging, they are still fed by the male, who locates them by listening for their fledging call. The chicks stop giving this call when they become entirely independent.^[10] Families Many, see text A passerine is a bird of the giant order Passeriformes. ... In bird and mammal biology, altricial species are those whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile, have closed eyes, lack hair or down, and must be cared for by the adults. ... The down of birds is a layer of fine feathers found under the tougher exterior feathers. ... Regurgitation is the controlled flow of stomach contents back into the oesophagus and mouth. ...

American Goldfinches are occasionally victims of brood parasites, particularly Brown-headed Cowbirds. One study found that 9% of nests had Brown-headed Cowbird eggs in them.^[23] American Goldfinches make very poor hosts for brood parasites, with studies showing low hatching rates of Brown-headed Cowbird eggs and no fledging success. This is despite the fact that the American Goldfinch has no known behavioral adaptations against brood parasites. It is thought that the inability of Brown-headed Cowbird chicks to survive is due to a failure to get enough nutrition; the seed-rich diet of American Goldfinch chicks varies from the usual insect-rich diet of other hosts.^[24] Binomial name Molothrus ater (Boddaert, 1783) The Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) is a small icterid. ... The Nutrition Facts table indicates the amounts of nutrients which experts recommend you limit or consume in adequate amounts. ...

Relationship with humans

The American Goldfinch is found in residential areas throughout its range. Backyard birders attract it using feeders containing Nyjer thistle seed,^[20] or by planting grasses and perennial plants, such as zinnias, cosmos, bee balm, or globe thistle, which produce seedheads favored by finches. Although some controversy surrounds bird feeding (see bird feeder for details), an increase in backyard feeding by humans has generally been beneficial to this species.^[20] Birdwatching or birding is the observation and study of birds. ... Red Valerian, a perennial plant. ... Species About 16 species, including: Monarda citriodora Monarda clinopodia Monarda didyma Monarda fistulosa Monarda menthifolia Monarda pectinata Monarda punctata Monarda (Bee Balm, Horsemint or Bergamot) is a genus of about 16 species of annual or perennial plants in the Lamiaceae, native to North America. ... Globethistle Categories: Plant stubs | Asteraceae ... Information in this article or section has not been verified against sources and may not be reliable. ... A hummingbird feeder - dye should not be used in the liquid provided Bushtits on a suet feeder An empty bird-seed dispenser A birdfeeder, bird feeder, or bird table is a device placed out-of-doors to supply bird food to birds. ...

The American Goldfinch is not threatened by human activity, and is widespread throughout its range.^[6][1] The clearing of forests by humans, though harmful to many species, has benefited the American Goldfinch. Clearing of woodlands causes declines in numbers of neotropical migrants, while favoring short-distance migrants and permanent residents.^[25] This benefits the American Goldfinch both as a short-distance migrant, and because the created open areas are the preferred environment of the bird, where weeds thrive which producing the primary food source of the American Goldfinch.^[11] Neotropical or Neotropic relates to a biogeographical region in the New World, bordered in the north by the dry areas in Mexico and the southern states of the USA. in the south by southern Patagonia. ... Flock of Barnacle Geese during autumn migration Bird migration refers to the regular seasonal journeys undertaken by many species of birds. ...

References

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (also known as the IUCN Red List and Red Data List), created in 1963, is the worlds most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species and can be found here. ... The World Conservation Union or International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is an international organization dedicated to natural resource conservation. ... Carl Linnaeus, Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as  , (May 13, 1707[1] – January 10, 1778), was a Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist[2] who laid the foundations for the modern scheme of nomenclature. ... The Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) was founded in 1967 and originally named the Ohio College Library Center. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... A digital object identifier (or DOI) is a standard for persistently identifying a piece of intellectual property on a digital network and associating it with related data, the metadata, in a structured extensible way. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... A digital object identifier (or DOI) is a standard for persistently identifying a piece of intellectual property on a digital network and associating it with related data, the metadata, in a structured extensible way. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... John Kenneth Terres (17 December 1905, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - December 2006), was an American naturalist and author. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 250th day of the year (251st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis)

Wikispecies has information related to:

Carduelis tristis

• American Goldfinch videos on the Internet Bird Collection
• The American Goldfinch Show - Informative but non-scholarly essay on the American Goldfinch.

Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... Image File history File links Wikispecies-logo. ... Wikispecies is a wiki-based online project supported by the Wikimedia Foundation that aims to create a comprehensive free content catalogue of all species (including animalia, plantae, fungi, bacteria, archaea, and protista). ...