American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)
American Goldfinch, male - CSU San Bernardino
© Tom Benson
American Goldfinch, female - CSU San Bernardino
© Tom Benson
The American Goldfinch is an uncommon year-round, breeding resident on campus. They are usually seen in small flocks, chattering from high in a tree. It is a common breeding resident in the coastal lowlands of southern California.
High Count: 90, Average Count: 10-25 Jul-Feb, 5 Mar-Jun
Breeding male American Goldfinches are bright yellow with a black cap, wings, and tail, and an orange bill. Breeding females have olive green upperparts, yellow underparts, black wings and tail, and an orange bill. Winter birds are variable, but generally have brownish upperparts, the head and underparts washed tan and/or yellow, a dark bill, and black wings with two bold white or buffy wing bars.