And calls his name thruout the day.
American Goldfinch
Spinus tristis
The American or Common Goldfinch often is called “wild canary.” Altho he is not a canary, his small size, color and twittering notes remind people of their pets. While smaller than sparrows, these birds are rugged and winter over much of their nesting range. Their habit of flocking and tendency to feed on weed seeds makes them easily found.
The male of this species is a rich lemon yellow with a small black mark above the bill, black wings and tail. The wings show distinct white bars especially in winter when the yellow has faded to the more somber hue of the female. The tail is forked with white tips on the outer feathers and coverts. The bill is yellow.
Goldfinches are noted for their cheerful dispositions. A feeding flock can be heard uttering twittering conversational notes even in winter. Spring brings the notes of their beautiful but varied song which usually can be identified as “tzee,” or “per-chic-o-ree,” which is the song heard when the birds pass overhead.
Goldfinches nest late in the season and use quantities of thistle down or similar fiber in building their compact homes. Fondness for thistles, both seeds and down, often gives him the name “thistle-bird,” and many artists picture him perched on this colorful weed.
He’s never happy when alone
But with the flock is prone to roam.
You often hear his questioning “tzeee”