Female American Goldfinches (Identification Guide)

American Goldfinch (Thorns) is a common backyard bird. They are widely distributed throughout North America and have a year-round territory in the Northeastern, Midwestern, and Pacific Northwest regions of the United States. Their breeding range extends into Canada, while their wintering range covers the southern United States and parts of Mexico.

Needless to say, these birds are well known. In spring and summer, it’s hard to miss the bright yellow males as they forage and sing their courtship songs. The darker olive color of female goldfinch attracts less attention, which helps them blend in better with their surroundings.

At certain times of the year, especially winter, it can be more difficult to distinguish males from females. Maybe you’ve stood at your window watching goldfinch feed in your yard, trying to pick out subtle differences. We’ll discuss these differences in appearance and behavior in the article below!

Female American Goldfinch perched on a branch

How do you know if the American Goldfinch is male or female?

It is easy to tell male and female goldfinches apart in spring and summer. Adult males are bright lemon yellow with jet black foreheads. Their wings are also jet black with white tips and their tails are black with white patches on the upper and lower sides. The female is dull yellow with an olive back and pale yellow belly. Female goldfinches also have orange beaks, but not as brightly colored as the males.

Both males and females are monotonous in winter. Their coats are tan and their wings are dull black with two off-white wing bars. The best way to tell the difference is by the color on the throat. Males display a brighter yellow here than females. Males also have slightly brighter yellow winglet coverts.

Juvenile American Goldfinches are tawny to light yellow upperparts and pale yellow underparts. Their wings are dark, but not black, and have two light yellow wing bars. Males and females look similar, except females are usually lighter in color. The upper wing feathers are pale, and the female is brownish-gray overall.

Male American Goldfinch in winter feathers

Female American Goldfinch making breeding feathers during moulting

What does a female American Goldfinch look like?

Adult female American goldfinch are slightly smaller than males. She is olive-coloured on the back, pale yellow on the sides, and greenish-yellow on the forehead, throat, and belly. Her wings and tail are dark black with white wing bars; her legs and feet are light brown and her beak is dark orange.

In winter, the female goldfinch is a dull olive color overall, with the wing stripes darkening to pale yellow.

Close-up of a female American Goldfinch

Are female American goldfinch bigger than males?

Female American Goldfinches are no larger than males. Males are always slightly larger and heavier during the non-breeding season. The average weight of a goldfinch is 11-13 grams in summer and 13.5-20 grams in winter.

behavioral difference

Female and male American goldfinches show several behavioral differences in their calls, nesting habits, and seasonal dominance. These are discussed in further detail below.

sing and call

Goldfinch calls are divided into six groups: song, contact call, male courtship call, female courtship call, threat call and alarm call. Women don’t sing. This is usually a behavior exhibited by males during the breeding season. Songs and courtship calls from males are used to attract females.

Female goldfinches have their own courtship calls. It usually sounds as a series of short, high-pitched whistles. Although, it is sometimes slowed down or given as a quick vibrato. Females make this call throughout the breeding season — when choosing a mate, building nests, and making nests.

Female goldfinches also make use of threats and alarm calls. The female in the nest will beep loudly if she feels threatened.

Female (left) and out-of-focus male (right) American Goldfinch perched on a branch

nesting

A mating pair of goldfinches will visit various suitable nesting sites. Males often pick up nesting materials, seemingly offering them to females, but these items are not used.

In the end, the location is chosen by the women. Once a desired site has been selected, the females begin nest building alone. Males will stay nearby to watch out for predators and other intruders.

Incubation is also performed exclusively by the female. The incubation period usually lasts 12-14 days. During this time, the male provides all food for the female. She only leaves the den for short periods of time to stretch, groom, or bathe.

Female American Goldfinch with darker plumage in winter

feed

For the first few days after the eggs hatch, the female watches the brood closely and still does not leave the nest. Her role at this stage is critical to the chick’s survival. The male continues to bring her food to the den.

After about four days, the female’s multiple litter behavior begins to subside. She will spend nights, early mornings and cold or rainy days with her chicks, but her time away from the nest begins to prolong. At this point, both males and females are providing food to their young.

After about eight days, the brooding period is over and the role of the female in feeding the chicks begins to wane. From this point on, the male takes on most of the feeding duties until the pups leave the nest.

Female Goldfinch perched on a branch

domination and aggression

When male or female goldfinches show dominance or aggression varies with the seasons. Males appear to be more dominant during winter, as the birds gather in larger groups to forage.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, females are more dominant and aggressive during the breeding season. They will try to protect their young from intruders.

Can a female American Goldfinch raise her young alone?

Female American goldfinches are less likely to raise successful offspring alone. The role of the female during incubation, at least for the first four days after the eggs hatch, is critical to the survival of the chicks.

She hardly leaves the den, relying on the males to bring her food. She cannot survive without her mate, and if she leaves the nest long enough to forage, her offspring will most likely not survive.