American Goldfinch
During the summer months, the male American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) is obvious with his black cap, tail, and wings and bright lemon yellow bodies. Females are less brilliant, with their olive-yellow coloring and lack of a black cap. Males loose their black caps during the winter, although some black coloring may appear on their foreheads. The face and throat of the male retain some yellow, but the crown, nape, back, and scapulars turn buffy brown.
Wings are primarily black, but the lesser coverts and tips of the greater coverts are dirty white, creating two distinct wing bars. The tail is black with white edges. The bill and legs are yellow. The female in winter plumage has similar coloring, although she has no yellow on her head or throat.
You can't miss this vibrant golden finch when they're in your backyard. They make their nests with woven plant fibers lined with thistle and cattail down. They will be attracted to your feeders if you feed them their favorite meal of black sunflower seeds. You may even catch this bird eating your dandelion heads in the spring.
