Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Goldfinch

A familiar and abundant small colorful bird, the American Goldfinch is frequently found in weedy fields and visiting feeders. It shows a particular fondness for thistles, eating the seeds and using the down to line its nest.
Description
top
Small bird.
Bill small, pointed, conical, and pink.
Body bright yellow to dull brown.
Wings dark with large white wingbars.
Tail short and notched.
Breeding male bright yellow with black cap and wings.
Size: 11-13 cm (4-5 in)
Wingspan: 19-22 cm (7-9 in)
Weight: 11-20 g (0.39-0.71 ounces)
Sex Differences
Summer male is bright yellow with a black cap whereas female is drab olive. Sexes similar and drab in winter.
Sound
Song a long series of twittering and warbling notes. Common contact call a "tsee-tsi-tsi-tsit," often given in flight. May be described as "per-chic-o-ree" or "po-ta-to-chip."

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