# American Goldfinch (*Spinus tristis*)

> 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.

- **Category:** Bird
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Breeds across southern Canada and the northern United States; winters farther south.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/american-goldfinch/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Aves
- **Order:** Passeriformes
- **Family:** Fringillidae
- **Genus:** Spinus

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| 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) |

## 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.

## Frequently asked questions

### 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.

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/american-goldfinch/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.