Summary ⁶

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 dimorphism in its coloration; 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. It is 4.3 to 5.1 inches in length. As part of its wintering range, the American Goldfinch can be spotted in the COSA from September until May.

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Glen Peterson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/66353259@N00/232195571
2. (c) Monteregina (Nicole), some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/monteregina/9580323835/
3. (c) Andrew C, some rights reserved (CC BY), http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:American_Goldfinch_(Spinus_tristis)_(13389124723).jpg
4. (c) Mdf, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carduelis-tristis-002.jpg
5. (c) Photo by David J. Stang, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carduelis_tristis_7zz.jpg
6. Adapted by dirstine from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinus_tristis

More Info

• iNat taxon page
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