, THE AMERICAN GOLDFINCH* 
By WILLIAM DUTCHER 
President National Association of Audubon Societies 
/IJattonal Stsaociation of auDufion feocietirs 
EDUCATIONAL LEAFLET NO. 17 
I 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 
I birds to be shown in natural colors. Presentation in this way renders 
i 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 — Passeres Family — Fringillida 
Genus — A%tragalinus Species — Tristis 
(i) 
