Yellow Finch Facts

The yellow finch is a species of bird that is commonly known by the name of "American goldfinch." The vibrant bird is also referred to scientifically as Carduelis tristis. It is notable for being the state bird of a handful of different states, which are Washington, Iowa and New Jersey.

  1. Distribution

    • Yellow finches are migratory and are common all throughout North America, all the way from Saskatchewan in southern Canada to Northern California, Mexico's Gulf Coast and North Carolina.

    Habitat

    • The natural environment of the yellow finch is in floodplains, thickets, hedgerows, river edges, woodsy edges and fields that are full of weeds. The birds can be found in gardens, lawns, orchards and on the sides of roads. In the winter months, yellow finches are more diverse with their locations. The birds often appear in massive flocks.

    Appearance

    • Yellow finches usually grow to between 4.25 and 5 inches in length. The small birds are have notched, forked and short tails, tiny heads and bills that are conical. On top, the finches are olive brown in color, while below, they are more yellowish. The male birds have dark black feathers on their wings, and bright yellow throats. The male foreheads feature dark caps. In contrast, female finches lack brightness. The females have light bills, and are greenish on top and more of a yellow color below. Both male and female yellow finches have thin beaks. Their wingspans range between 8 and 9 inches.

    Breeding

    • For yellow finches, breeding starts in the spring, in either April or May. On the East Coast, the breeding begins slightly later, typically in June or July. The breeding process typically occurs among shrubs and trees. Female finches construct nests close to water, often amidst weeds. The sturdy nests are stable and usually are made out of materials like spiderwebs, cotton, bark and wood. Female finches incubate between four and six eggs, which are shiny and light blue in appearance. The finches appear in monogamous sets of two. Incubation usually lasts for 10 to 12 days. Both the female and male parents are responsible for feeding the young in times of nesting.

    Diet

    • Yellow finches follow firm vegetarian diets, eating mostly seeds. Once in a while, the birds accidentally swallow insects (such as aphids). The birds feed seeds that are regurgitated to offspring.