“American Goldfinch, Charming Ray of Sunshine”

These petite rays of sunshine are commonly associated with the brightening and warmth of spring and summer. Male goldfinches turn their brilliant yellow hue in late spring to early summer for nesting season, mirroring the sun’s return. Coupled with their bouncing flight pattern and cheerful song, they symbolize radiant joy and positive change.

Habitat is mostly weedy fields and forest edges, where thistle (their favorite) is plentiful, among other seed-bearing plants. Diet is strictly seeds, with an occasional insect. Thistle seeds are used for food as well as for nest building (the fluffy parts). They flock and forage socially, mated pairs having unique and identical calls, and a flock of them is called a “charm.” They breed later than most songbirds beginning June or July, when the plants they rely on are able to go to seed. The female builds the nest after the site is jointly determined, and both feed their young.

Goldfinches also molt twice per year, looking very patchy until new feathers grow in. Males are brilliant yellow with a black cap and wings, while females are a tannish yellow. Their petite size, colors, and bouncy flight overhead are sure to catch your eye, if not their warbling tweet of a song.

Original mixed media on raw stretched canvas with maple float frame.

This piece is available at Anne Irwin Fine Art in Atlanta, GA