Spinus tristis

A small (5 inches) finch, the male American Goldfinch in summer is most easily identified by its bright yellow body; black cap, wings, and tail; and conspicuous white rump patch. Female American Goldfinches are duller yellow overall than males, and lack black on the head. In winter, both sexes become duller yellow-brown on the back, head, and breast. The American Goldfinch breeds across much of the United States and southern Canada. In winter, northerly-breeding populations move south, expanding outside of this species’ breeding range into the coastal southeast, the southwest, northern Mexico, and the coast of California and Oregon. Birds breeding in the mid-latitudes migrate short distances, if at all. American Goldfinches breed in a variety of open habitats, including meadows, bushy fields, and (in modern times) urban and suburban yards. This species utilizes similar types of habitat in winter as it does in summer. American Goldfinches primarily eat seeds, including tree seeds and seeds of weedy groundcover plants. In appropriate habitat, American Goldfinches may be seen perched on the stalks of small plants while eating seeds from pods at the top. Goldfinches are also common feeder birds, and may be observed feeding in mixed groups of finches and other small songbirds. American Goldfinches are primarily active during the day.

Threat Status: Least concern

The breeding range reaches as far north as Saskatchewan and continues across the whole of North America, with the southern limits being North Carolina in the east and northern California in the west. The wintering range extends across the entire continental United States, extending well into Mexico along the Gulf coast.

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )

The breeding range reaches as far north as Saskatchewan and continues across the whole of North America, with the southern limits being North Carolina in the east and northern California in the west. The wintering range extends across the entire continental United States, extending well into Mexico along the Gulf coast.

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )

occurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations

Canada

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

Global Range: Breeding range extends from southern Canada (southern British Columbia east to southwestern Newfoundland) south to southwestern California and northern Baja California, Arizona, New Mexico, extreme northeastern Texas, northern Louisiana, northern Mississippi, central Alabama, central Georgia, and South Carolina (AOU 1998). Winter range extends from southern Canada and the northern United States south to northern Baja California, northern Sonora, New Mexico, Texas, the U.S. Gulf coast, and southern Florida (AOU 1998). See Prescott and Middleton (1990) for information on age and sex differences in winter distribution in eastern North America.

American goldfinches are small finches with small conical bills. They are olive brown above, blending to olive yellow below. Males have bright yellow throats and jet black wing feathers. Females do not have a bright coloring. Their wing feathers are dull brownish-black.

Range length: 11.4 to 12.8 cm.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: sexes colored or patterned differently; male more colorful

Average mass: 13.6 g.

Average basal metabolic rate: 0.4108 W.

American goldfinches are small finches with small conical bills. They are olive brown above, blending to olive yellow below. Males have bright yellow throats and jet black wing feathers. Females do not have a bright coloring. Their wing feathers are dull brownish-black.

Range length: 11.4 to 12.8 cm.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: sexes colored or patterned differently; male more colorful

Average mass: 13.6 g.

Average basal metabolic rate: 0.4108 W.

Length: 13 cm

Weight: 13 grams

American goldfinches prefer weedy fields and flood plains in their breeding range. These habitats include early successional growth, cultivated lands, roadsides, orchards, and gardens. This habitat preference is maintained during the spring and fall migration. Winter habitats vary more than summer habitats, with finches moving near to human feeders (if available) in the northern part of their range. In the southern parts of their range, they tend to remain in habitats that closely approximate the weedy fields and flood plains of the north.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland ; scrub forest

Other Habitat Features: suburban ; agricultural ; riparian

Systems

• Terrestrial

American goldfinches prefer weedy fields and flood plains in their breeding range. These habitats include early successional growth, cultivated lands, roadsides, orchards, and gardens. This habitat preference is maintained during the spring and fall migration. Winter habitats vary more than summer habitats, with finches moving near to human feeders (if available) in the northern part of their range. In the southern parts of their range, they tend to remain in habitats that closely approximate the weedy fields and flood plains of the north.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland ; scrub forest

Other Habitat Features: suburban ; agricultural ; riparian

Comments: American goldfinches are associated with weedy fields, cultivated lands, open deciduous and riparian woodland, forest edge, second growth, shrubbery, orchards, and farmlands (AOU 1998). Nests usually are in small trees or bushes, 0.3-10 meters above ground, sometimes in thistles near the ground ( Terres 1980). See Watt and Dimberio (1990) for information on the structure of successful nests.

Non-Migrant: Yes. At least some populations of this species do not make significant seasonal migrations. Juvenile dispersal is not considered a migration.

Locally Migrant: Yes. At least some populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).

Locally Migrant: Yes. At least some populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.

Northern populations are migratory, whereas southern breeders are year-round residents. Overall, migrations peak from mid-April to early June and from late October to mid-December; specific timing varies across the large range.

American goldfinches consume many different types of seeds from annual plants. Analysis of the stomach contents of one goldfinch showed 50 different items, only 3 of which were insects. The others included a wide variety of "weed" seeds, such as seeds from grasses and trees (alder, birch, cedar, elm, etc.) Goldfinches are well adapted to hanging on seed heads, and they prefer this to feeding on the ground. Goldfinches drink by obtaining a mouthful of water and quickly tipping the head back to swallow.

Animal Foods: insects

Plant Foods: seeds, grains, and nuts

American goldfinches consume many different types of seeds from annual plants. Analysis of the stomach contents of one goldfinch showed 50 different items, only 3 of which were insects. The others included a wide variety of "weed" seeds, such as seeds from grasses and trees (alder, birch, cedar, elm, etc.) Goldfinches are well adapted to hanging on seed heads, and they prefer this to feeding on the ground. Goldfinches drink by obtaining a mouthful of water and quickly tipping the head back to swallow.

Animal Foods: insects

Plant Foods: seeds, grains, and nuts

Primary Diet: herbivore (Granivore )

Comments: Feeds on seeds (e.g., birches, alders, conifers, thistles, goldenrod, etc.); eats some berries and insects (Terres 1980). Young fed partly digested, regurgitated seeds.

American goldfinch nests are sometimes parasitized by Molothrus ater, resulting in a loss of goldfinch eggs and young. However, cowbird young are not successfully fledged from American goldfinch nests.

Commensal/Parasitic Species:

• brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus_ater)
• louse flies (Hippoboscidae)
• feather mites (Acari)
• coccidia (Isospora)
• Schistosoma_dermatitis

Although predation at the nest is a common cause of nest failure, American goldfinches are surprisingly non-aggressive towards predators. American goldfinches display little aggressive behavior, other than alarm calling.

American goldfinch nests are sometimes parasitized by brown-headed cowbirds, resulting in a loss of goldfinch eggs and young. However, cowbird young are not successfully fledged from American goldfinch nests.

American goldfinches are parasitized by feather mites (Acari) and louse flies (Hippoboscidae). In wild populations coccidial infections often result in death (Isospora). American goldfinches are an intermediate host for swimmer's itch (Schistosoma dermatitis).

Commensal/Parasitic Species:

• brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater)
• louse flies (Hippoboscidae)
• feather mites (Acari)
• coccidia (Isospora)
• Schistosoma dermatitis

Although predation at the nest is a common cause of nest failure, American goldfinches are surprisingly non-aggressive towards predators. American goldfinches display little aggressive behavior, other than alarm calling.

Carduelis tristis (red-eyed vireo, yellow warbler, gold finch, catbird, brown thrasher, towhee, robin) is prey of:
Accipiter striatus
Accipiter cooperii

Based on studies in:
Canada: Manitoba (Forest)

This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.

Carduelis tristis (red-eyed vireo, yellow warbler, gold finch, catbird, brown thrasher, towhee, robin) preys on:
Insecta

Based on studies in:
Canada: Manitoba (Forest)

This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.

Except during the breeding season, usually travels and forages in flocks.

American goldfinches have been recorded living up to 11 years in the wild and in captivity.

Range lifespan
Status: wild: 13 (high) years.

Range lifespan
Status: captivity: 11 (high) years.

Average lifespan
Status: wild: 125 months.

American goldfinches have been recorded living up to 11 years in the wild and in captivity.

Range lifespan
Status: wild: 13 (high) years.

Range lifespan
Status: captivity: 11 (high) years.

Average lifespan
Status: wild: 125 months.

Maximum longevity: 13 years Observations: Breeds in the first year of life and annually thereafter (http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/)

American goldfinches form mated pairs in the winter, although they don't start to breed until spring or early summer.

Breeding begins in late June or early July. The male watches attentively as the female builds the nest. The nest building takes her about six days. From 2 to 7 eggs are laid, often at night. Nesting success varies depending on the experience of the parents. In one study, experienced parents successfully raised 3.4 young per clutch and inexperienced parents raised 2.8 young per clutch. The female then incubates the eggs for 12 to 14 days before hatching. and the male feeds her. The female may leave with the male for short periods of a few minutes.

American goldfinches breed for the first time in the year after they hatch.

Breeding interval: American goldfinches may lay up to 3 clutches each year.

Breeding season: Breeding begins in late June or July.

Range time to hatching: 12 to 14 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 11 months.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 11 months.

Key Reproductive Features: seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate)

Average eggs per season: 5.

American goldfinch young hatch naked, with reddish bodies and eyes closed. They develop quickly, opening their eyes by day three and fully opening them by day seven.

Parental Investment: altricial ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Male, Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Male, Female, Protecting: Male, Female)

Pair formation occurs in winter. Experienced females will desert their mate in up to 15% of cases to have a second brood with another male. In those cases the first male takes over full responsibility for raising the young.

Breeding begins in late June or early July. The male watches attentively as the female builds the nest. The nest building takes her about six days. From 2 to 7 eggs are laid, often at night. Nesting success varies depending on the experience of the parents. In one study, experienced parents successfully raised 3.4 young per clutch and inexperienced parents raised 2.8 young per clutch. The female then incubates the eggs for 12 to 14 days before hatching. and the male feeds her. The female may leave with the male for short periods of a few minutes.

American goldfinches breed for the first time in the year after they hatch.

Breeding interval: American goldfinches may lay up to 3 clutches each year.

Breeding season: Breeding begins in late June or July.

Range time to hatching: 12 to 14 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 11 months.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 11 months.

Key Reproductive Features: seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate)

Average eggs per season: 5.

American goldfinch young hatch naked, with reddish bodies and eyes closed. They develop quickly, opening their eyes by day three and fully opening them by day seven.

Parental Investment: altricial ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Male, Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Male, Female, Protecting: Male, Female)

Nesting occurs relatively late for a songbird. In most areas, egg laying occurs primarily in late June, July, and August, sometimes in May or into September, with a peak in June and July, but some populations in California and Baja California nest from April to early July. Clutch size is 4-6 (usually 5). Incubation lasts 12-14 days. Young leave the nest about 11-17 days after hatching. Young depend on one or both parents for food for about 3 weeks after fledging.

Brown-headed cowbirds are brood parasites that sometimes lay eggs in American goldfinch nests. However, the cowbird young rarely survive. Probably this is because goldfinches feed mostly seeds to their nestlings, and this diet is inadequate for cowbird development.

The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species.

There are 17 barcode sequences available from BOLD and GenBank.  Below is a sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species.  See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen and other sequences.

Download FASTA File

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 17
Specimens with Barcodes: 18
Species With Barcodes: 1

Currently, American goldfinch populations are not decreasing. It is thought that their populations have increased since European settlement of North America. The clearing of forests for agriculture has vastly expanded the preferred habitat of American goldfinches.

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

US Migratory Bird Act: protected

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

State of Michigan List: no special status

Year Assessed

Assessor/s

Reviewer/s

Contributor/s

Justification

History

• 2008
  Least Concern
• 2004
  Least Concern

Currently, American goldfinch populations are not decreasing. It is thought that their populations have increased since European settlement of North America. The clearing of forests for agriculture has vastly expanded the preferred habitat of American goldfinches.

US Migratory Bird Act: protected

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

State of Michigan List: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: N5B,N5N : N5B: Secure - Breeding, N5N: Secure - Nonbreeding

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

There are no known negative effects of American goldfinches on humans.

American goldfinches are enjoyed by birdwatchers at their feeders. They may also help to disperse seeds.

Positive Impacts: ecotourism

There are no known negative effects of American goldfinches on humans.

American goldfinches are enjoyed by birdwatchers at their feeders. They may also help to disperse seeds.

Positive Impacts: ecotourism