The American goldfinch, also known as the eastern goldfinch or wild canary, is a small North American songbird in the finch family. Its scientific name is Spinus tristis. The American goldfinch is sometimes referred to by its nicknames “wild canary” or “yellow bird” due to its bright yellow plumage. In this article, we will explore the different names and nicknames used to refer to the American goldfinch and provide an overview of this beautiful little songbird.
Common Names
The most widely recognized common name for this bird is the “American goldfinch.” This name refers specifically to the subspecies S. t. tristis, which is found in the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. Here are some key facts about the American goldfinch:
- Scientific name: Spinus tristis
- Other common names: Eastern goldfinch, wild canary
- Range: Eastern North America
- Size: 4.5-5.1 inches long with a wingspan of 7.5-8.7 inches
- Identifying marks: Bright yellow body plumage, black forehead, white rump
The American goldfinch should not be confused with the very similar-looking lesser goldfinch (S. psaltria), which occupies the western half of North America. The lesser goldfinch can be distinguished by its smaller size, darker back, and lack of a white rump patch.
Nicknames
In addition to its common names, the American goldfinch is also known by a few colloquial nicknames:
Wild Canary
One of the most popular nicknames is the “wild canary.” This name refers to the American goldfinch’s bright yellow plumage, which resembles the coloration of a domestic canary. The American goldfinch’s musical warbling song also sounds somewhat similar to a domestic canary. However, it is not closely related to true canaries, which are finches in the genus Serinus native to the Canary Islands, Africa, and Europe.
Yellow Bird
“Yellow bird” is another straightforward nickname that simply describes the American goldfinch’s predominantly yellow plumage. Males have bright lemon-yellow coloring on the body and wings throughout the year. Females are a duller, olive-yellow color. Both sexes have black wings with white markings.
Thistle Bird
One more nickname for the American goldfinch is “thistle bird.” This name refers to the bird’s feeding habits. American goldfinches primarily eat seeds from composite plants in the thistle family, such as dandelions, sunflowers, and thistles. They are one of the few bird species able to digest thistle seeds. Their short, conical beak allows them to crack open these small seeds.
Plumage and Markings
The bright yellow plumage and distinctive markings of the American goldfinch explain its common names and nicknames. Here is an overview of the goldfinch’s plumage and markings:
Males
- Brilliant yellow body plumage from head to belly
- Black forehead, crown, and upper wings
- Pair of white wing bars on black wings
- Black tail with white outer tail feathers
- Short, conical beak that is pinkish in color
- Black legs and feet
Females
- Dull brownish-olive body plumage
- Lack bright yellow coloring
- Same black and white wing markings as males
- Short conical beak that is more grayish
- Black legs and feet
The male American goldfinch’s brilliant yellow plumage against the black and white wings is distinctive. The yellow coloring becomes especially vibrant during the spring breeding season. In the fall and winter, the bright plumage fades to a paler olive shade.
Range and Habitat
The American goldfinch is found across eastern North America in a variety of open habitats:
- Weedy fields
- Roadsides
- Orchards
- Floodplains
- Parks
- Backyards
They prefer areas with tall shrubs or trees for nesting, and abundant seed sources such as thistles, sunflowers, and coneflowers. During winter, American goldfinches congregate in large flocks and forage in open areas with wild grasses and seed-bearing plants.
The American goldfinch’s breeding range extends across southern Canada and the eastern United States. Its winter range reaches farther south to the Gulf of Mexico and northern Mexico. See the range map below:
Season | Range |
---|---|
Breeding | Southeastern Canada to North Carolina |
Winter | Southern Canada to Gulf of Mexico |
Migration
The American goldfinch is unusual among North American songbirds in its migration habits. While most songbirds migrate in the spring and fall, the goldfinch migrates only in the fall.
Here is an overview of its migration:
- Fall: northern populations migrate south in late summer/fall to avoid harsh winters
- Winter: widespread across southern Canada, U.S., Mexico
- Spring: remains on wintering grounds rather than returning north
- Summer: breeds on wintering grounds and expands northward as suitable habitat becomes available
By delaying breeding until late summer, the American goldfinch times its nesting to coincide with the peak seed production from thistles and other composite plants. This ensures an abundant food source to feed its young.
Diet
The American goldfinch is specialized to feed on small seeds, particularly from plants in the thistle and sunflower families. Its diet consists primarily of these seeds:
- Thistle
- Dandelion
- Sunflower
- Milo
- Coreopsis
- Coneflower
The goldfinch uses its conical beak to remove seeds from seed heads and crush them to extract the nutrients. It also occasionally feeds on buds, sap, and small insects.
In backyard bird feeders, American goldfinches are attracted to:
- Nyjer seed feeders – a small, black thistle seed
- Sunflower seed feeders
- Safflower seed feeders
Feeders should be placed in open areas and made accessible for the goldfinch, which feeds while perched.
Songs and Sounds
The vocalizations of the American goldfinch are another characteristic that contributes to its nickname of “wild canary.” The males sing a lively, melodious warbling song that is prolonged and musical. Their songs carry long distances and add a bright sound to summer days.
Listen to an American goldfinch song here:
[insert audio element with goldfinch song]
Other American goldfinch vocalizations include:
- Calls – A pleasant monosyllabic “po-ta-to-chip” and a clipped “dee-yer”
- Flight call – A “swee-ee” or “seeip” sound made in flight
- Chatter – Fast, rattling notes during courtship and when flocking
The songs, calls, and groups chatter of American goldfinches add a cheery soundtrack to parks, fields, and backyards where they reside. Their vocalizations match their energetic, social nature.
Behavior
Some interesting behaviors and traits of the American goldfinch include:
- Gregarious – congregates in large flocks of 10 to 100+ birds
- Playful – likes to bathe and splash in water; flies chasing one another
- Acrobatic – feeds upside down and clings to branches; fluttering flight
- Late nesting – breeding starts late July; timed with food availability
- Social – nests colonially; both parents feed young
- Migratory – only migrates in fall; some southern populations are non-migratory
The American goldfinch’s playful behavior and late breeding season help brighten mid-summer days when many other birds are finished nesting. Watching goldfinches splash in a bird bath or listening to their lively flocks adds color to the dog days of summer.
Significance
The American goldfinch holds a special place in human culture due to its spectacular appearance and cheerful disposition. Here are some of the ways it captures people’s hearts and imagination:
- State bird – Iowa, New Jersey, Washington
- Provincial bird – Ontario
- Brings a splash of bright color in summer
- Popular among birdwatchers and photographers
- Flocks animate parks, backyards, and nature with motion and sound
- Early America: considered a mythic ‘bird of paradise’
The American goldfinch is one of the most popular and widely recognized wild birds of North America. Its bright plumage and musical voice help symbolize the warmth and joy of summer. Protecting open spaces with thistle and sunflower plants can help provide habitat for American goldfinches to be enjoyed for generations to come.
Conclusion
The American goldfinch goes by many descriptive names and nicknames – wild canary, yellow bird, and thistle bird among them. These all reflect its distinctive sunny yellow plumage, musical voice, and diet of small seeds. Understanding the plumage, range, habits, and habitat of Spinus tristis provides a better appreciation for this beloved songbird. Providing suitable habitats with seed-bearing flowers and shrubs can help the American goldfinch flourish. Watching flocks of goldfinches swirling through the sky or hearing their joyful songs is a treat that brightens many a summer day across North America.