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Quick answer
The American goldfinch (Spinus tristis) is a bright yellow seed-eating finch of fields and gardens across southern Canada and the northern United States. Males moult into vivid breeding yellow each spring; pairs delay nesting until midsummer thistle and composite seeds peak. Listed Least Concern.
Top questions about the American Goldfinch
American Goldfinch facts at a glance
- Weight 13 g
- Length 12 cm
- Top speed 40 km/h
- Lifespan 6 years
| Scientific name | Spinus tristis |
|---|---|
| Diet | Herbivore (seeds) |
| Habitat | Fields, gardens, and weedy meadows |
| Lifespan | Around 6 years in the wild (varies by population and captivity). |
| Weight | About 0.013 kg typical adult mass (sex and region vary). |
| Top speed | Up to roughly 40 km/h when moving at speed. |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Fringillidae |
| Genus | Spinus |
Where it lives
The american goldfinch (Spinus tristis) is native to Breeds across southern Canada and the northern United States; winters farther south. — recorded across North America in this guide’s range summary.
For occurrence records, see GBIF species search and sources below.
How big is a american goldfinch?
An adult american goldfinch measures 12 cm long — about 7% of the height of an average adult person (1.73 m) — and weighs around 13 g, a small fraction of an average adult’s body weight (70 kg).
Length vs an average adult’s height (to scale)
What is a group of american goldfinches called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of American Goldfinches is called a charm.
Baby name
A baby American Goldfinch is called a chick.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
Summer yellow, winter olive
Males trade drab winter olive for brilliant yellow and a black cap in breeding season — one of North America's most striking moults. Undulating flight and soft "po-ta-to-chip" calls are field marks.
Thistle and composite seeds
Diet is almost entirely seeds, especially composites like thistle, sunflower, and dandelion. Nesting timed to peak seed abundance means broods later than most songbirds.
Canada–US fields and gardens
Breeds across southern Canada and the northern United States in weedy meadows, fields, and gardens; winters farther south where seed heads persist.
Bird-feeder favourite
Least Concern and often abundant at nyjer feeders. Herbicide-clean farmland can reduce wild seed sources locally. Across its range it is tied to fields, gardens, and weedy meadows, and field accounts emphasise this species’ distinctive ecology rather than generic habitat labels.
Explore the American Goldfinch
Related Birds
Range & geography
Conservation status of the American Goldfinch
The american goldfinch (Spinus tristis) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Least Concern (LC) is the IUCN's lowest-risk category, assigned to widespread, abundant species that have been evaluated and found not to be threatened. It does not mean a species faces no pressures — only that it is not currently at risk of extinction.
The american goldfinch (Spinus tristis) is assessed on the IUCN Red List. Look up on the IUCN Red List .
Frequently asked questions about the American Goldfinch
Why do American goldfinches nest so late?
They wait for midsummer seed crops such as thistle to feed nestlings a seed-rich diet.
Do goldfinches eat insects?
Far less than most songbirds — seeds dominate even for chicks.
Why do male goldfinches change colour?
Seasonal moult produces bright breeding plumage for mate attraction, then drabber winter feathers.
What feeder food do goldfinches prefer?
Nyjer (thistle) and sunflower seeds are favourites.
Where do American goldfinches live?
Breeding grounds across southern Canada and the northern US; many shift south in winter.
What is a group of american goldfinches called?
A group of American Goldfinches is called a charm.
What is a baby american goldfinch called?
A baby American Goldfinch is called a chick.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the American Goldfinch:
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IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Least Concern) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Spinus tristis.
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iNaturalist — observations & photos
Search citizen-science observations and community IDs for Spinus tristis. Useful for range checks and recent sightings — not a substitute for formal Red List status.
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GBIF — occurrence data
Global Biodiversity Information Facility species search for Spinus tristis. Explore published occurrence records used in range research.
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eBird — bird observations
Cornell Lab eBird target search for American Goldfinch. Check recent checklists and seasonal abundance where birders report this species.
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