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American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
Audubon Illustration
John James Audubon, Birds of America (1827-1838). Public domain.
Migration Flyway
Showing primary migration corridor(s) for this species
Last Spotted Near You
About the American Goldfinch
The American goldfinch (Spinus tristis) is a small North American bird in the finch family. It is migratory, ranging from mid-Alberta to North Carolina during the breeding season, and from just south of the Canada–United States border to Mexico during the winter. The only finch in its subfamily to undergo a complete molt, the American goldfinch displays sexual dichromatism: the male is a vibrant yellow in the summer and an olive color during the winter, while the female is a dull yellow-brown shade which brightens only slightly during the summer.
Source: Wikipedia
Classification
- Scientific name
- Spinus tristis
- Family
- Finches, Euphonias, and Allies
- Order
- Passeriformes
Similar species
Other members of the finches, euphonias, and allies family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.
- Akekee Loxops caeruleirostris
- Akiapolaau Hemignathus wilsoni
- Akikiki Oreomystis bairdi
- Akohekohe Palmeria dolei
- Anianiau Magumma parva
- Apapane Himatione sanguinea
- Asian Rosy-Finch Leucosticte arctoa
- Black Rosy-Finch Leucosticte atrata
- Black Siskin Spinus atratus
- Black-capped Siskin Spinus atriceps
- Black-headed Siskin Spinus notatus
- Black-throated Canary Crithagra atrogularis
Know when the American Goldfinch turns up near you
How rare bird alerts work →Gear for spotting American Goldfinch
Optics
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Cameras
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