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Spinus tristis
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.
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.
These American Goldfinches were spotted feeding in my front yard. They are in winter plumage.
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