Across North America
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
Weedy fields, backyards, gardens· 5 in / 13 cm
"Bright lemon yellow in summer, riding the air in deep undulating dips."
The story
Goldfinches are strict vegetarians and nest later than almost any other songbird — waiting for thistle down to line their cups. Their flight call sounds like po-ta-to-chip.
Conservation
Stable. Loss of weedy field margins is the main long-term threat.
One small thing you can do
Let a corner of the garden go wild — thistles and coneflowers feed and house them.