American Goldfinches are beloved visitors to backyards and natural areas across Oregon, known for their vibrant colors and distinctive songs. Unlike many songbirds, they are strict vegetarians, feeding almost entirely on seeds.

Male American Goldfinch in Oregon:
Breeding Plumage (Spring and Summer - approximately March to September): This is when the male is at his most striking. He becomes a brilliant, almost fluorescent lemon-yellow over his entire body, except for a contrasting, neat jet-black cap on his forehead. His wings are also jet-black with crisp, white wingbars and white edgings on the flight feathers. His tail is black with prominent white patches on the underside and at the base of the outer tail feathers. His bill often takes on an orange hue during this time.
Non-breeding Plumage (Fall and Winter - approximately September to March): After the breeding season, the male molts into a much duller plumage. He loses his bright yellow and black cap, becoming a more subdued buff, yellowish-brown, or olive-brown overall. His black wings remain, but the white wingbars may appear duller or more buffy. He can be quite difficult to distinguish from females and immatures during this period, though he might retain some yellowish shoulder patches or a hint of yellow on the face.
Vocalizations: Males have a distinctive, undulating flight call often described as "potato-chip," "po-ta-to-chip," or "per-chick-o-ree," especially noticeable when they fly in their bouncy, roller-coaster fashion. Their song is a long, jumbled, and rapid series of musical trills and warbles, often incorporating repeated notes.

Female American Goldfinch in Oregon:
Breeding Plumage (Spring and Summer): Females are always duller than breeding males. They are generally a duller yellow on their underparts and an olive-yellow or olive-brown on their back and head. They lack the prominent black cap of the male. Their wings are blackish, but often appear browner than the male's, and they have buffy or yellowish wingbars (less stark white than the male's). Their tail is dark with some dull white markings.
Non-breeding Plumage (Fall and Winter - all year for females): Females remain in a similar duller plumage year-round, though they may become slightly duller in winter. They are generally olive-brown or grayish-brown, with dusky wings and buffy wingbars. Their wings and tail are helpful identification points, as they are darker than their body plumage with pale (buffy) wingbars.
Vocalizations: Females give similar "potato-chip" flight calls, though perhaps a bit softer than the males. They also sing, though their songs may be less elaborate than the male's.

General Characteristics (Both Sexes):
Size & Shape: Small, sparrow-sized finches with relatively small heads, a short, conical bill (perfect for seeds), and a short, notched tail. They have a characteristic undulating flight pattern.
Diet: American Goldfinches are almost entirely vegetarian. They primarily eat the seeds of various plants, with a strong preference for members of the sunflower family, especially thistle (their late breeding season is timed to coincide with thistle seed availability) and sunflowers. They will readily visit feeders for Nyjer (thistle) seed and black oil sunflower seeds. They rarely eat insects, even when feeding their young.
Habitat in Oregon: They are common in open woodlands, fields, parks, orchards, riparian areas, and suburban gardens across much of Oregon. They are particularly attracted to areas with abundant weedy plants.
Social Behavior: They are highly social, especially outside of the breeding season, often forming large, active flocks.