The American Goldfinch
A common sight in open fields and thickets in late summer is the cheerful American goldfinch. They feed on the dried seed heads of various flowers, their favorites include thistles, dandy lion and sunflower. You can attract them to your feeders by offering such foods.
The nesting season of goldfinches is much later than most of the other songbirds. It extends from midsummer into September. This provides the adults thistledown to line their nests and plenty of ripe seeds and insects to feed their young.
One popular name for goldfinch is "wild canary." The males during spring and summer are a brilliant lemon yellow with striking black wings and forehead. During the winter the male's plumage is olive-yellow or gray like the female.
Many birders liken their flight call to "Potato chip! Potato chip!" It is said that because of their strongly undulating flight, they have the "dip" to go along.
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