Stan Tekiela’s Birding for Beginners: Northeast

American Goldfinch Spinus tristis Size: 5" (13 cm) Male: Bright canary-yellow finch with a black forehead and tail. Black wings with white wing bars. White rump. No markings on the chest. Winter male is similar to the female. Female: dull olive-yellow plumage with brown wings; lacks a black forehead Juvenile: same as female Nest: cup; female builds; 1 brood per year Eggs: 4–6; pale blue without markings When Seen: year-round Food: seeds, insects; comes to seed feeders Compare: The Pine Siskin (pg. 77) has a streaked chest and belly and yellow wing bars. The female House Finch (pg. 79) and Purple Finch (pg. 93) have heavily streaked chests. Stan’s Notes: A common backyard resident. Most often found in open fields, scrubby areas and woodlands. Enjoys Nyjer seed in feeders. Breeds in late summer. Lines its nest with the silky down from wild thistle. Almost always in small flocks. Twitters while it flies. Flight is roller coaster-like. Moves around to find adequate food during winter. Often called Wild Canary due to the male’s canary-colored plumage. Male sings a pleasant, high-pitched song.