BIRD OF THE MONTH

May: American Goldfinch

by Janine Schutt

American Goldfinch

A backyard summer favorite is Washington’s state bird, the American Goldfinch. A frequent visitor to backyard seed feeders, the male’s unmistakable bright yellow breeding plumage adds a flare of color to the landscape. Here are some fascinating facts about the American Goldfinch:

Year-round across most of the northern United States and the Pacific Coast. Migratory in southern Canada and winters in the southern states and along the Gulf Coast.
Common Puget Sound resident from spring to fall, uncommon in winter.
Found in a variety of habitats, particularly lowland fields, shrubby areas, open woodlands, parks, and backyards. Absent from dense forests.
Molts twice a year. Males are a brilliant, sunflower yellow in summer. Female, juveniles, and non-breeding males are dull yellow.
Feeds almost exclusively on small plant seeds. Regurgitated seeds are fed to their young.
Nests later than most North American birds in order to feed fibrous plant seeds, such as milkweed and thistle, to their young.
Parasitic cowbird chicks that hatch in the nest die within a few days since they can’t survive on a vegetarian diet.
Nests in the fork of a shrub or tree. Female weaves a tight nest cup of plant fibers, thistle-down, and spider silk.
Female incubates 4-6 eggs for 12-14 days while the male brings her food. Both parents tend the young, which fledge 12-17 days after hatching.
Parents continue to feed the young for a few weeks and may raise a second brood.
Has an undulating (bouncy) flight pattern. Often calls “po-ta-to-chip” on upward strokes while in flight.
Males sing a melodic song from the treetops in spring.
Readily visits backyard feeders, especially when stocked with sunflower or thistle seeds.
An acrobatic finch that can hang upside down while foraging, often alongside other finches such as pine siskins.