American Goldfinch
With
its bright golden body and melodious singing, the American
Goldfinch (Carduélis trístis), is easily mistaken for a canary.
Indeed, this bright and cheerful specimen is sometimes called
the “wild canary.”
Found throughout Oklahoma, the Goldfinch is a much more common
resident during winter than in summer. It inhabits woodlots,
weedy fields, brushy thickets and seed-bearing trees, while
preferring a home located near a water source.
Giving the American Goldfinch its canary-like appearance is the
bright yellow plumage of the male. In summer, the male’s golden
body is accented by velvety black wings and tail, while the
black “cap” further distinguishes it from the female. The
females and immature males are brownish in color with olive
overtones, lacking the black cap. Winter will find the males and
females nearly identical in appearance; the males discernible
only by their darker wings and yellow shoulder patches.
The American Goldfinch’s song is a long, high and sweet
“per-chic-o-ree” melody which is readily performed while
congregating in treetops with other members of its own species,
or while gliding through the air in its characteristic roller
coaster, up-and-down trajectory. Looking much like a flock of
canaries, a congregation of American Goldfinches is a golden and
mobile choir producing a melody of various notes. It is not
until summer that the Goldfinch will disperse and pair-up to
nest.
The preferred foods of the Goldfinch are dandelion, thistle,
sunflower, and elm seed. Hence, this bird is not difficult to
attract to feeders. With its love for thistle seed, an offering
of such may be placed in a garden or backyard feeder and this
will serve as a magnet for these birds. Because the Goldfinch
will supplement its summer diet with various insects, it is a
beneficial little bird. With its brilliant golden color and
seemingly endless array of cheerful notes, the American
Goldfinch offers a beam of sunshine on even the gloomiest winter
day.