American Goldfinch
Carduelis tristis
 (L 5" WS 9" WT 0.33 oz)
Winter and breeding plumage
strikingly different ...likes to
eat thistles.
The responsibilities of life seem
to rest lightly on the Gold-
finch‘s sunny shoulders.
    (Roger Tory Peterson)
Yard birds,
Oak Park, IL
18May2005
Nonbreeding males
2Nov2008
7May2005
7May2005
State bird of Iowa,
New Jersey and
Washington.