The Willow Goldfinch

The willow goldfinch is a small black and yellow bird. It can be found throughout the United States and Canada at various times during the year. It is a member of the finch family. It’s also best known for being the state bird of Washington.

Does the Willow Goldfinch Go by Any Other Names?

Yes! The willow goldfinch is also known as the American goldfinch, the eastern goldfinch and the wild canary. Its Latin name is cardeulis tristis.

What Does the Willow Goldfinch Look Like?

It is a small member of the finch family, weighing less than an ounce. They are typically 4.3 to 5.5 inches long. In the spring and summer, males are bright yellow with black markings on their heads and wings while females are a duller shade of yellow with dark brown markings. In the fall and winter, the birds molt, and the yellow shades are replaced by more subdued colors of tan and olive.

Where Does It Live?

The willow goldfinch can be found all across Canada and the United States in the summer months, and during the winter it can be found from southern Canada to northern Mexico. They prefer to live in wide-open spaces such as fields during the summer. When food becomes scarce in the winter, they can frequently be found in backyards and gardens that have bird feeders. If you have a bird feeder in your backyard, keep an eye out for this little bird when it gets chilly outside.

What is its Behavior Like?

Other than during mating season, the willow goldfinch is an outgoing bird that tends to move in large flocks. It is a carnivore, eating a diet of seeds and grains. Males court females by flying complex patterns in the air and singing. Females build nests and lay four to six eggs in the late summer months. This bird is frequently found in areas inhabited by humans, and it is not threatened by development.

How Did the Willow Goldfinch Become the State Bird of Washington?

From 1928 to 1951 there was much controversy and indecision in Washington over choosing a state bird. The meadowlark was an extremely popular choice, but several other states had already claimed it. After several state referendums, it came down to a runoff between the meadowlarks and the willow goldfinches in 1951. However, this time it would be slightly different. The Washington legislature left it up to the state’s schoolchildren to vote, and they chose the willow goldfinch.

Now you have some important background information on the state bird of Washington, and a common finch throughout North America. Keep an eye out for willow goldfinches in your own backyard and around your neighborhood. The willow goldfinch is one of the brightest songbirds around. It’s definitely hard to miss.

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