THE AMERICAN GOLDFINCH 



By WILLIAM BUTCHER 

 President National Association of Audubon Societies 



Rational Si00ociation ot auHubon &ocietie0 



EDUCATIONAL LEAFLET NO. 17 



The Goldfinch, which is also known as the Yellow Bird, Wild Canary, 

 Lettuce Bird and Thistle Bird, has been selected as the first of the series of 

 birds to be shown in natural colors. Presentation in this way renders 

 unnecessary a detailed description of its plumage. The English name of the 

 Goldfinch is well chosen, as the bright yellow of the male when in breeding 

 plumage is like burnished gold. The Latin generic name of the Goldfinch 

 has reference to prickly plants, while its specific name, tristis, sad, refers to 

 its rather plaintive flight note. The female Goldfinch is more modestly 

 dressed than her mate. 



The changes in plumage of the male are very interesting and, to the 

 novice, somewhat puzzling. Until the student becomes acquainted with 

 this bird he may wonder why he sees no males during the winter. The truth 

 is at this season the flocks of supposed female Goldfinches are really of 

 both sexes, the male bird having assumed in the previous fall, usually by 

 the end of October, a plumage closely resembling that of the female and 

 young bird of the year. 



The male retains this inconspicuous dress until late in February, when 

 one can notice a gradual change taking place in some of the birds. This 

 molt, or renewal of feathers is actively continued through March and April, 

 and by the first of May our resplendent bird is with us again. The change 

 from yellow to brownish and back again to yellow can be noted by the stu- 

 dent in the field, who with a good opera-glass will find that the variations 

 in plumage between the two extremes are without number. 



The song period with the male Goldfinch continues as long as he wears 

 his gold and black livery, for it commences as early as the middle of March 

 and ends late in August. 



Goldfinches are wee birds, some four and one half-inches in length, but 

 what they lack in size they make up in admirable qualities, one of the chief 

 of which is their gregarious mode of life. Except during the short season 

 devoted to domestic duties, they associate in flocks and live a happy, no- 

 madic existence. Their undulating mode of flight seems to express joy and 



*THE AMERICAN GOLDFINCH 



Order — Passer es Family — Fringillida 



Genus — Astragalinus Species — Tristis 



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