Last Updated on January 25, 2024 by Greg Gillson
American Goldfinches (Spinus tristis) are rather tiny songbirds common in summer in the mid and northern parts of the United States and southern Canada. In winter many of the northern birds migrate southward so that goldfinches can be found at backyard feeders throughout most of the U.S.
American Goldfinches are unique among similar finches in that they molt in both fall and spring into a different plumage for breeding than in winter. Females have a different appearance than males. And immature birds don’t look exactly like the adults. So the identification of these wonderful birds is sometimes tricky.
This article discusses how you can identify American Goldfinches. We’ll look at size, shape, and plumage coloration at various times of the year. Then we’ll discuss their songs, calls, and flight style. And we’ll discuss these finch’s behavior to help you identify them quickly.
This article is a supplement to the main overview page on attracting American Goldfinches. That page leads to other in-depth articles on range and habitat, courtship and nesting, and diet and what to offer them at your feeder. I’ll link to the overview page again at the end of this article.
 |
| Male American Goldfinch in breeding plumage Photo by Greg Gillson |
Goldfinch identification, in general
Goldfinches are similar to other finches in that they have plump bodies, a larger head on short neck, short notched tail, and conical bill for eating seeds.
Goldfinches are quite small. They usually travel in small flocks and are quite social. They twitter and sing and call constantly.
When they feed they are acrobatic, clinging and hanging at all angles to find and extract seeds from plants or feeders. They frequently feed on grass seeds and small flowering plants on the ground. But then they fly up onto fence lines or into small trees.
When flying, goldfinches have highly undulating flight. I’ll discuss it on more detail below in a subsection under American Goldfinch identification.
There are 177 species in the finch family (Fringillidae). The genus Spinus includes 20 species of goldfinches, siskins, and serins. They are found primarily in North and South America, with some representatives in Europe, Asia, and north Africa. Similar birds include the European goldfinches, linnets, redpolls, and twite.
 |
| Female American Goldfinch in breeding plumage Photo by Greg Gillson |
American Goldfinch identification
American Goldfinches are about 5 inches long, bill tip to tail tip. Their wingspan is about 8-3/4 inches. All goldfinches are tiny birds. However, among the goldfinches in North America, these are slightly larger than the other species.
Plumage
Male American Goldfinches in breeding plumage have bright lemon yellow body plumage, including both the breast, belly, head, and back. Males have a black cap from the base of the bill to the top of the crown. The wings and tail are black edged with white. There are wide white wing bars. The rump and the under tail coverts are white. The bill and legs are pink. The eye is very dark.
Female American Goldfinches in breeding plumage are a bit duller than males, brightest on the throat. The breast and belly tends toward a tan coloration. The back is yellow brown. The wings and tail aren’t as jet black as the males.
 |
| Male American Goldfinch in non-breeding plumage Photo by Greg Gillson |
In winter both genders molt into an even duller non-breeding plumage. The body is tan above, dirty white below, with yellowish throat. The males black cap is not as sharply defined. The wing bars are still wide, but tend to yellow, especially the upper wing bar.
 |
| Juvenile American Goldfinch Photo by Greg Gillson |
The fall juvenile birds are quite tan, just a hint of yellow on the throat. The black wings are widely edged with tan, or even cinnamon-buff, including the extensive wing bars.
Male American Goldfinches in California aren’t as bright as other subspecies in breeding plumage. Many have some brownish feathers on their back, rather than all bright lemon yellow.
Flight Style
In flight, American Goldfinches appear small and round with a short neck. They have rather pointed wings and a short tail with a strong notch or fork.
Goldfinches have a strongly bounding or undulating up-and-down flight. Birds flap with a burst of 4-6 quick wingbeats and then a close-winged pause, repeated over and over. When flapping, their flight path rises sharply. During the pause, they fall. So when flying they have a lively up and down bouncing flight path.
Flocks are rather loose. So it is sometimes hard to locate birds flying overhead against the bright sky, even when they are giving their flight calls.
Voice
What do American Goldfinches sound like? The scientific species name tristis means sad. One of the common calls the bird gives is a plaintive whistle followed by a short rising whistle: dear-me? Birds seem to give this as perhaps a contact call when in a flock. They always seem to be talking to each other with short chip and swee notes.
The flight call is a 4-part chipping. Older references render this call as per-chic-o-ree. However you may hear people refer to it as the potato chip call: po-ta-to-chip! The calls coincide with the flap-bound wing strokes of the undulating flight–one call for each bound.
The songs of American Goldfinches, given by the male, often from a hidden perch, is prolonged series of sweet chip and swee and ti-ti-ti notes, punctuated occasionally with the plaintive dear-me note. There isn’t any obvious pattern to the notes and phrases. They are jumbled together and may last 30 seconds or longer.
Similar species
There are lots of yellow and black birds. Goldfinches are the smallest and most similar. So we’ll discuss those first. Then we’ll look at some other yellow and black birds that might be confusing at first.
Other goldfinches
Lesser Goldfinch
In the chaparral and dry oak woodlands of the West lives the Lesser Goldfinch. They are bright yellow below and green or black (Texas, New Mexico, Mexico) on the back. The wings are black with extensive white edges and wing bars. Males have a black forecrown. They are smaller even than American Goldfinches.
Lesser Goldfinches do not molt into a dull colored non-breeding plumage in winter as do American Goldfinches. They stay the same bright yellow year-round. Then, and when flying overhead, look for the bright yellow lower belly and under tail coverts on Lesser Goldfinch. Remember that the undertail coverts of American Goldfinches are white.
Lesser Goldfinches have white wing patches that show in flight.
Their songs and calls are similar to American Goldfinch. They also have undulating flight. So the under tail coverts and wing patches are the two important field marks for separating these two species.
 |
| Male Lesser Goldfinch Photo by Greg Gillson |
Lawrence’s Goldfinch
In the chaparral of California lives the gray Lawrence’s Goldfinches. They are often found with Lesser Goldfinches. They are often found near streams or water in the dry lands. American Goldfinches like the wetter meadows.
Lawrence’s Goldfinches are small and gray including the under tail coverts. They have yellow edges to the wing feathers that show in flight. Males have a black face. Males also have a bright yellow center to the breast. Some females show this, but many are much duller. Females then appear to be a small plain gray-brown bird with some yellow marks in the wing when they fly.
 |
| Male Lawrence’s Goldfinch Photo by Greg Gillson |
Pine Siskin
The Pine Siskin is a small finch. At 5 inches in length it is the same size as an American Goldfinch. It has the same pudgy body, short neck, and notched tail. The bill is even thinner than the goldfinch, but still thick at the base.
Siskins are streaked brown on tan or pale. They have yellow markings in the wing that reveal a long yellow wing stripe in flight. The base of the tail feathers are also yellow. There is quite a bit of individual variation in how pale or dark the streaking is. Some birds are more yellowish or greenish, but still identifiable.
 |
| Pine Siskin Photo by Greg Gillson |
Other species
There are several yellow and black birds that aren’t goldfinches, or even finches at all.
Evening Grosbeak
Evening Grosbeaks are large and stocky finches with huge conical green bills. They have black wings with large white patches. Males are yellow with sooty head and breast and yellow eyebrow. Females are rather gray above and buff below. They are found in conifer forests in West, but descend into lowlands to eat maple and elm buds in spring. In the East are found in mixed woods in southern Canada and adjacent northern States.
 |
| Male Evening Grosbeak Photo by Greg Gillson |
Wilson’s Warbler
There are several yellow warblers, some with black facial markings. Warblers are insect eaters with thin bills. Most glean through the forest canopy as single individuals or mated pairs. They often stay hidden in the foliage. They don’t flock together (though might be concentrated in isolated trees during migration). They don’t eat seeds at feeders.
The Wilson’s Warbler is a bright yellow bird. The wings and tail are slightly gray or olive. They have a short thin bill. A beady black eye sits in the middle of the face. The male Wilsons’ Warbler has a black cap. The black cap does not come forward to the base of the bill. The under tail coverts are bright yellow, unlike American Goldfinches.
 |
| Male Wilson’s Warbler Photo by Greg Gillson |
These are by no means the only yellow and black birds. I wrote a pictorial guide to such birds some time ago. For additional species similar to American Goldfinches, please see my article What birds are yellow and black?
Return to the overview page on American Goldfinches.
Wrapping Up
The American Goldfinch, with its vibrant yellow plumage and captivating song, stands out as a special resident of many North American landscapes. Here are some reasons why this charming songbird holds a unique place in the birding world:
Stunning Appearance:
- Seasonal Transformation: Unlike most birds, Goldfinches undergo a dramatic seasonal plumage change. Their drab winter coat of brown and yellow transforms into a dazzling display of bright yellow plumage in the summer, making them true head-turners.
- Flocking Beauty: When gathered in large flocks, especially during migration or feeding, their synchronized movements and vibrant colors create a breathtaking spectacle, like a living splash of sunshine against the sky.
- Unique Finch Features: Their small size, pointed bill, and forked tail differentiate them from other songbirds, giving them a distinct and recognizable silhouette.
Exceptional Seed Eaters:
- Specialized Bill: Their narrow, conical beaks are perfectly adapted for extracting seeds from a variety of plants, including thistle, ragweed, and sunflowers. This specialized skill allows them to access food sources unavailable to many other birds.
- Acrobatic Foraging: They exhibit remarkable agility while navigating branches and seed heads, hanging upside down or clinging to stalks with impressive balance. This acrobatic feat ensures they reach even the most challenging food sources.
- Seed Dispersal Champions: As they forage, they inadvertently scatter seeds, contributing to plant reproduction and playing a vital role in maintaining and diversifying habitats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are American Goldfinches found?
American Goldfinches are delightful songbirds with a vast and vibrant range across North America! Here’s a breakdown of where you might encounter these feathered friends:
Breeding Range:
- Summertime Spectacle: These cheerful birds breed across a wide swathe of North America, stretching from central Canada in the north to the northern parts of North Carolina and California in the south. So, if you live in most of the United States or southern Canada, you might well find Goldfinches gracing your summer landscapes.
Year-Round Residents:
- Winter Warriors: Unlike many migratory birds, some Goldfinch populations choose to stay put throughout the year. You’ll find them year-round in the eastern portion of the United States, typically south of the Great Lakes and extending down to the coastal areas of the Gulf of Mexico.
Migration Marvels:
- Northward Adventures: The northernmost populations of Goldfinches embark on southward journeys in the fall, returning to their breeding grounds in the spring. These migration routes can span hundreds of miles, showcasing the birds’ remarkable navigational skills.
What color attracts American Goldfinch?
When it comes to attracting American Goldfinches, color does play a role, but it’s not the only factor to consider. Here’s a breakdown of how color can influence their presence:
Attractive Colors:
- Yellow: Naturally, yellow holds the strongest association with Goldfinches, as it’s their dominant plumage color during breeding season. Studies have shown that yellow feeders and birdhouses can attract their attention more readily than feeders of other colors.
- Red: Research suggests that red can also be an attractive color, especially when combined with yellow. The combination might mimic flowering plants that offer them food.
- Orange: Similar to red, orange may hold some appeal, particularly in a natural setting where they encounter orange hues in flowers and berries.
Why won’t goldfinches come to my feeder?
It can be frustrating when those vibrant little goldfinches seem to bypass your feeder! Don’t worry, there could be several reasons why they’re not visiting, and most of them are easily remedied. Here are some things to consider:
Food and Feeder:
- Right seeds: Offer their absolute favorites like nyjer, thistle, sunflowers, and millet. Avoid mixed seed blends, as they might pick through and ignore the goldfinch-pleasing options.
- Feeder type: Nyjer feeders with sock feeders or fine mesh work best. Ensure easy access and avoid feeders with narrow perches that might deter them.
- Feeder placement: Hang the feeder in a sunny, open area away from potential threats like trees with dense foliage where predators could lurk. Consider hanging it near natural sources of their preferred seeds to make it even more enticing.
- Freshness matters: Discard old, stale seeds and replenish regularly to ensure freshness and prevent mold growth, which could be harmful to the birds.
