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American Goldfinch - Carduelis tristis - also known as the Eastern Goldfinch (here in Iowa, anyway), Chardonneret jaune (French), Dominiquito viajero (Spanish), Dominiquito triste (Spanish).
As I’ve mentioned before, the American Goldfinch might be my favorite bird. It is the State Bird of Iowa, it is very common, and I love its little song and/or chirp, which always sounds like he is asking me a question. Plus, he’s fantastically colored… in the summer, that is. The above shot is of the male Amerian Goldfinch after he has completed his fall molt. Look here to see a photo of the American Goldfinch in his bright yellow and black-capped sumer plumage. American Goldfinches are the only bird in their family that molt twice a year. In the spring the males molt into a bright yellow with a black cap, while the females molt into a bright yellow. In the fall, the males molt into the above. The black cap disappears, the yellow dulls, and the cap, nape, and back take on an olive-brown color. Females look alike, but take on an olive-green color. Thus, American Goldfinches are distinguishable sex-wise throughout the year.
In Iowa, these guys stick around pretty much all year. They seem to be more abundant in the summer, feeding 10 - 20 at a time at a single feeder, but there will be plenty of them this winter, too, as long as I keep a nice stash of nyjer thistle out there (and some unfrozen water in the birdbath).
Female breeding / summer plumage here.
Male breeding / summer here.
Female non-breeding / winter plumage here.
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LOL, great photo Moe.
October 9th, 2007 at 9:47 pmGreat description of the plummage. I may have a female around my feeders that has taken on her winter plummage. I only saw the bird for a split second last week, but the olive-green color best describes the appearance of the bird I saw.
October 9th, 2007 at 10:05 pmThanks, Liv. :)
Karl - I have the hardest time distinguishing between male and female finches in the winter. I think there is a fine line between “brown” and “green.” Luckily, with photography, we can capture the bird’s image and give it a little study, which makes it a bit easier.
October 10th, 2007 at 11:53 amGreat photo. I love the goldfinches too and so many come to the feeders..
sandy
October 11th, 2007 at 2:24 pm[…] Moe offers a photo and information about his favorite bird (maybe), the American Goldfinch. […]
October 18th, 2007 at 6:02 pm