Birds of Arlington - American Goldfinch

Birds of Arlington

American Goldfinch

(Spinus tristis)

Summer Adult, Male

Present: Year Round

Visual Identification

Where and When to see them

Visual Identification

Summer Plumage

American Goldfinches are small yellow finches. Males are bright yellow with black wings and two white wingbars. They have a black front/cap and an orange to pale bill. They have pink feet and a white . Female birds have an overall dull yellow body and black wings with the two white wingbars. They have pink feet and an orange bill. During the Fall and Spring Goldfinches transition into their different plumages.

Winter Plumage

Male

In winter American Goldfinches bills are darker, their yellows turned dull, and males loose their black front/cap. They also may adopt some grays into their plumage, usually around the nape, breast, and rump areas.

Voice

These are the chitters and rich warbles of an American Goldfinch. Notice the flight call at the end of the video.

(Beware there is an American Robin calling in the background as well.)

This is the song, chips, and chitters of an American Goldfinch. Notice how the throat bulges while making songs and calls. Please ignore the crosswalk countdown in the background...

They emit rich warbles and chirps, much like those of other finch species. They occasionally give rich chirps when flying.

Habitat

Goldfinches spend most of their time in open areas. This includes fields, open woodlands, brushy woodlands, open riparian woods, marsh and swamp edges, open wetlands, willow thicket, suburbia, and other open wooded habitats. They are seen frequently near Black-eyed Susans, thistles, asters, sunflowers, and other seed bearing plants.

Behavior

Goldfinches are small but territorial birds, chasing males of the same species away if they get too close. Despite this they are social birds, forming small flocks in all seasons. Goldfinches dip greatly in their flight and pull back up by extending their wings and flapping a few times then dip again by tucking in their wings like a torpedo.

Juvenile American Goldfinch in nest waiting for parents to return with food.

The only time you usually see a solitary bird is when a male is trying to attract a female. When a couple is formed, they build a cup shaped nest from straw, minute twigs, fur, cattail fluff, and other soft materials. This nest is usually positioned on a forked Branch.

Comparisons

House Finch (Voice)

The song of a House Finch is nearly identical to that of an American Goldfinch, and the best identification clue to tell apart their voices is that House Finches do not like being interrupted, so they stop mid-song frequently.

House Finch (Looks)

House Finches are similar in voice to Goldfinches, but note the appearance of the House Finch, who has brownish stripes all over the body, and the male who has a red head and breast. Both finch species are seen in similar habitats. The House Finch also has a larger bill.

Where and When to see them

Goldfinches are common residents to all of our parks except Lubber Run Park, in which they are uncommon. The best time to see them is spring and early summer, when they are searching for mates. Males will usually sing from an exposed snag, making them easier to find. This can be seen in action at Arlington Forest Park. They are also very common in May at Sparrow Pond. The Long Branch Nature Center also has a feeder in which they frequently visit.

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