Caledonia Wisconsin
The American goldfinch (Spinus tristis), also known as the eastern
goldfinch, is a small North American bird in the finch family. It is
migratory, ranging from mid-Alberta to North Carolina during the
breeding season, and from just south of the Canadian border to Mexico
during the winter.
The only finch in its subfamily to undergo a complete molt, the
American goldfinch displays sexual dimorphism in its coloration; the
male is a vibrant yellow in the summer and an olive color during the
winter, while the female is a dull yellow-brown shade which brightens
only slightly during the summer. The male displays brightly colored
plumage during the breeding season to attract a mate.
The American goldfinch is a granivore and adapted for the
consumption of seedheads, with a conical beak to remove the seeds and
agile feet to grip the stems of seedheads while feeding. It is a social
bird, and will gather in large flocks while feeding and migrating. It
may behave territorially during nest construction, but this aggression
is short-lived. Its breeding season is tied to the peak of food supply,
beginning in late July, which is relatively late in the year for a
finch. This species is generally monogamous, and produces one brood each
year.
Human activity has generally benefited the American goldfinch. It is
often found in residential areas, attracted to bird feeders which
increase its survival rate in these areas. Deforestation also creates
open meadow areas which are its preferred habitat.
-wiki
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