Basic Information
The American Goldfinch is the state bird of three U.S. states: New Jersey, Iowa, and Washington!
Goldfinches - Facts for Kids
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Facts About Goldfinches For Kids
Goldfinches belong to the scientific family Fringillidae, which includes finches from all around the world!
A group of Goldfinches is called a “charm,” which perfectly describes how delightful they are to watch!
The American Goldfinch’s scientific name is Spinus tristis, but there’s nothing “tristis” (meaning sad) about these cheerful birds!
Wild Goldfinches typically live 3–6 years, but some can live up to 10 years with proper care in captivity!
Male Goldfinches are called cocks, females are called hens, and their babies are called chicks!
An adult Goldfinch weighs about the same as 4–5 pennies, usually between 11–20 grams!
Goldfinches are one of the strictest vegetarians in the bird world, eating almost exclusively seeds!
Goldfinches can be found across North America, from southern Canada to central Mexico!
Goldfinches are small songbirds, measuring just 4.3-5.5 inches in length from beak to tail!
Physical Characteristics
Male Goldfinches turn bright yellow in spring and summer, but become olive-brown in winter!
A Goldfinch’s wingspan is about 7.5-8.7 inches wide, about the length of a pencil!
Goldfinches have special grooves in their beaks that help them crack open tiny seeds!
American Goldfinches have shorter, stronger beaks compared to other finches, perfect for eating seeds!
A Goldfinch’s heart beats about 500 times per minute when they’re active!
Goldfinches have excellent eyesight and can see ultraviolet light that humans can’t see!
Goldfinches get their bright yellow color from pigments in the seeds they eat!
A Goldfinch’s feet have four toes — three pointing forward and one backward — to help them grip branches!
Goldfinches have about 2,200 feathers covering their tiny bodies!
Baby Goldfinches are born without any feathers and weigh less than a paper clip!
A Goldfinch’s black wings have white stripes that look like flashlights in the dark!
Goldfinches have special oil glands that help keep their feathers waterproof!
Goldfinches can see colors even more brightly than humans can!
A Goldfinch’s bones are hollow to help them fly better!
Goldfinches have super grippy feet that help them perch on the tiniest twigs, just like acrobats balancing on tightropes!
American Goldfinches have a special see-through eyelid called a “nictitating membrane” that helps keep their eyes clean and moist, kind of like built-in goggles!
Their beaks grow continuously, like our fingernails!
Behavior & Intelligence
Goldfinches are one of the few birds that fly in an up-and-down, wave-like pattern!
Goldfinches can hang upside down to reach seeds that other birds can’t get to!
Goldfinches communicate using a variety of calls, including a special “po-ta-to-chip” sound!
Goldfinches excellent problem solvers and can figure out how to use bird feeders even when they’re designed to keep them out!
Goldfinches are social birds and often feed in large groups during winter!
Goldfinches perform special flight displays during breeding season, flying in large circles while singing!
Goldfinches can remember which feeders have the best seeds and will return to them regularly!
Goldfinches take frequent water baths to keep their feathers clean and in good condition!
Goldfinches can recognize and remember individual humans who regularly feed them!
Goldfinches do a special zigzag dance in the air when they’re defending their territory!
Goldfinches can learn to recognize different types of bird feeders!
Goldfinches take tiny power naps throughout the day!
Goldfinches sometimes gather soft fibers from milkweed plants to line their nests!
Goldfinches can sing while flying.
Goldfinches work together to warn each other about predators!
Goldfinches have different calls for different situations — like a special “feeding time” call!
Goldfinches practice “social learning,” which means they learn new skills from watching other birds!
Goldfinches can remember the locations of hundreds of food sources!
Goldfinches can remember the locations of hundreds of food sources!
Diet & Feeding
Goldfinches love to eat seeds from sunflowers, dandelions, and thistles!
Goldfinches have special ridges inside their beaks that help them hold onto slippery seeds!
Unlike many other birds, Goldfinches don’t eat insects, even when feeding their babies!
Goldfinches can store seeds in a special pouch in their throat called a crop!
