American Goldfinch

Description:

Small, about 9" in length including tail. Plumage varies between season, sex and age. These images were all taken in March, so males do not yet have their bright yellow bodies. First image is a typical March male starting to acquire yellow on body and black on forehead. The 2nd and 3 images seem to be younger (1st year or 2nd year) male still molding into breeding plumage. The last image is a female. .

Habitat:

The goldfinch’s habitats are weedy fields and floodplains, where plants such as thistles and asters are common. They’re also found on roadsides, in orchards, and at backyard feeders, most abundantly during winter. Goldfinches are found throughout North America. These Goldfinches were photographed near the feeders in Felts Audubon Preserve, Manatee County, Florida.

Notes:

The American Goldfinch changes from winter plumage to breeding plumage by a complete molt of its body feathers. It is the only member of its family to have this second molt in the spring; all the other species have just one molt each year in the fall