American Goldfinch

If you have a feeder in your yard some place in the United States then chances are that you recognize the bright yellow bird above. The American goldfinch is common bird of fields and open woodlands but they are perhaps best known as frequent backyard visitors. They are almost strictly vegetarian, eating seeds they prefer sunflower, thistle, milkweed and nyjer.

Most birds molt once a year but goldfinch molt twice. The first molt is in late winter when the males molt into their bright yellow breeding plumage. The females are a dull yellow color with similar black wing bars, see the photo above. In late summer they will molt again and the males will become a dull yellow similar to the color that the female is year round.