Goldfinches were seen by Pat Mattson on several occasions in August,2000 in trees in the wooded area near the marshland behind French Hall. In summer, the male goldfinch has a distinct yellow color with black wings and tail and a black cap. Goldfinches are about the size of an English sparrow and fly with an undulating motion.

The goldfinch mates and nests later in the summer than most other birds.This behavior may be in part be related to the fact that the goldfinch, which is a seed feeder for the most part, feeds primarily on thistle seeds ,which ripen at this time and can be fed to young goldfinches. However goldfinches also feed on dandelion, ragweed, mullein, sunflower and a number of other seeds. The beak of the goldfinch is adapted for seed-eating, since it is broad and strong.

A goldfinch nest may be found in a shrub or tree and usually contained 4-6 bluish-white eggs. The young birds grow rapidly and leave the nest 11-15 days after hatching.

In the fall, goldfinches begin to travel in flocks with other goldfinches, and with their relatives - the redpols and siskins. They feed in weedy field and orchards and are easily attracted to bird feeders.

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Credits: The goldfinch drawing is from the web site The Birds of Fermilab/American Goldfinch. The artist is Denis Kanis.