December 11, 2025

A male American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis), enjoying the seedheads of Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida) which I’ve left out for he and his many friends.

Hardly the same bird that I saw flocking with others this summer. Gone is the brilliant yellow, the black cap and the bright orange beak. Now in his winter garb, it is a bit difficult to tell a male Goldfinch from a female. Both now have black beaks, and they both have a dull tan coloring. No black cap now. He shows a very subtle yellow around his head which the female lacks. And still he has, striking in their contrast, black and white wings.

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