The American Goldfinch is sometimes commonly called a yellow canary. It is not. It is a lovely song bird that is fun to watch whether at a feeder or darting midair. The male is bright yellow with black wings and topknot while the female is duller yellow beneath, olive above. The males are a wonderful barometer of coming season. Late fall the males begin changing to a dull olive and early spring he molts again to bring back his brilliant yellow plumage. Most goldfinches don't migrate but because their plumage changes colors, people think they have left for the winter.

Goldfinches are the latest to breed waiting until July or August when seeds are bountiful. They thrive on milkweed, thistle, and perennials that set seeds. Goldfinches are among the strictest vegetarians in the bird world, selecting an entirely vegetable diet. You can feed nyger (thistle) or sunflower chips; these require specialized feeders.