Goldfinch

The goldfinch is sometimes called the “wild canary” although it is not a canary Its scientific name, Carduelis tristis, means “Thistle-seed eater with a sad call.” They fly in an up and down motion like a roller coaster. They build their nests later than any other bird in our area. Their nests are so thickly woven that they can hold water like a cup.   Click on drawing for link

    The goldfinch is a beautiful bird. The male goldfinch has a bright yellow body. It has black wings and an orange beak. The female has greenish upper parts and yellow under parts to its body. It has a pale bill and legs. Males and females both have a white pattern on their wings. In the winter, the male looks like the female. It is a small bird. They are about 4 1/4 to 5 inches long. Their wingspread is about nine inches long. Goldfinches live in most parts of the United States. They live in New York State year round unless they can't find food. Then they will fly south. They will go as far as New Mexico from some parts of the country. They live in the forests, fields, grasslands and in neighborhoods. They make cup shaped nests. They nest in trees and bushes from 5 to 35 feet above the ground. They make their nests in late summer. They line them with fluffy down from the thistle plant. Goldfinches are seed-eating birds. They like seed feeders filled with thistle seeds. They depend on feeders for their food in the winter. Goldfinches fly in small flocks. Female goldfinches build their nests in July and August. They have one brood of babies a year. They have 4 to 6 pale blue eggs. Eggs hatch in 1 0 to 12 days. After they hatch both the male and female feed the babies for 1 1 to 17 days.

    Goldfinches are very interesting birds. They fly up and down like a roller coaster. They twitter as they fly. They are sometimes called the "wild canary.' They build their nests later than any other bird in our area. Their nests are so thickly woven that they can hold water like a cup.

by

Bruce and Joseph