American Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
Adult male breeding
- Bright yellow overall
- Black wings with white edging
- Black cap and forehead
- Pinkish orange, pointed, conical bill
- © Jason Means, WV, Charleston, August 2008
American Goldfinch
Adult male nonbreeding
- Dull grayish brown underparts
- Yellowish face
- © Kevin Shea, January 2009
American Goldfinch
Adult female breeding
- Dull yellow overall
- Dark, blackish wings with pale wingbars
- © Eye Of The Artist, SD, Mitchell, July 2008
American Goldfinch
Adult female nonbreeding
- Dull grayish brown
- Blackish-brown wings with pale wingbars
- Dull yellowish face
- © Ed Schneider, TN, Whites Creek, November 2008
American Goldfinch
Adult male nonbreeding
- Dull grayish brown
- Black wings with pale wingbars
- Yellowish face
- Transitional males show variable black on head
- © Debbie McKenzie, AL, September 2008
American Goldfinch
Adult male nonbreeding
- Winter males sometimes fairly yellow overall
- © Maggie Lee, KY, Louisville, December 2008
American Goldfinch
Adults nonbreeding
- May congregate in large flocks
- © maia bird, December 2008
American Goldfinch
Adults transitional
- Transitional birds show patchy yellow
- Transitional birds show variable black on head
- © Mary Ann Scott, March 2008
Similar Species
Adult male
- Similar to adult male American Goldfinch
- Bright yellow overall
- Red streaks on breast (absent in females)
- Thin black bill
- © Gerry Dewaghe, Manitoba, Canada, June 2007
Adult male
- Similar to adult male American Goldfinch
- Dark head with yellow forehead and eyebrow
- Large white wing patch
- Very large, thick pale bill
- © Keefee, NM, May 2008
Adult female
- Similar to female or nonbreeding American Goldfinch
- Overall gray with greenish on neck
- Dark wings with white patches
- Very large, thick pale bill
- © Keefee, NM, May 2008
Adult male
- Similar to adult male American Goldfinch
- Dark head with yellow forehead and eyebrow
- Large white wing patch
- Very large, thick pale bill
- © Gerry Dewaghe, Manitoba, June 2007
Adult male
- Similar to female or nonbreeding American Goldfinch
- Very gray with yellow chest and wings
- Black face and gray cheek
- © Jean Halford, March 2007
Adult with American Goldfinch
Adult
- Similar to female or nonbreeding American Goldfinch
- Very brown and streaky overall
- © Bob Baker, Greene Co., VA, January 2009
Adult male
- Similar to female or nonbreeding American Goldfinch
- Longer and more slender than finches
- Bill darker, longer, thinner
- © Debbie McKenzie, AL
Adult male
- Similar to breeding male American Goldfinch
- Stouter bill, yellow undertail
- Full black cap and non-yellow back
- © cl_cochran , AZ, June 2008
Adult female
- Similar to female or nonbreeding American Goldfinch
- Stouter bill than American Goldfinch, yellowish undertail
- Green back, narrow wing-bars
- © Seth Reams , Portland, OR, July 2008
Adult female
- Similar to female or nonbreeding American Goldfinch
- Stouter bill than American Goldfinch.
- Green back, narrow wing-bars
- © Darin Ziegler , Colorado Springs , CO, December 2008