American Goldfinch
Carduelis tristis
The photographs from the Cornell Lab of
Ornithology are convincing, especially the third & fourth
pictures of non-breeding plumage.
"White wingbars and white feather edgings on
the tail contrast sharply with the black background. He is the
only small yellow bird with black wings. The female wears less
striking garb. Olive-green above and paler yellow below, she
lacks the black cap and the bright yellow shoulder patches on
her brownish black wings. Winter adults and immatures resemble
females but are duller and more grayish, sometimes with only
traces of the characteristic golden plumage."
Photo taken with a Nikon D80 using a Nikon 200mm, f/4
manual focus lens.
November23, 2008.