The American Goldfinch is a bright yellow bird that is difficult to miss. Though it is easily found at a feeder, how much do you actually know about the sweet, yellow bird? Check out these 10 fascinating facts about the American Goldfinch!

1. The American Goldfinch is the state bird of New Jersey, Iowa, and Washington
2. It is sometimes referred to as the ‘Wild Canary’ due to its bright yellow plumage (But keep in mind, these are the male finches only - the female goldfinch is much duller in color in contrast.)
3. Goldfinches are strictly vegetarian - they only eat seeds (sunflower and Nyjer are their favorites!)
4. Mating goldfinches sing virtually identical songs during flight. What is not identical about them is their color - during the spring and summer, males are a bright yellow color, whereas females are much duller in color
5. The male goldfinch always plays a role in raising nestlings. The male goldfinch will bring food to the nest where the mother will feed the young, then they will reach a point where both male and female feed the nestlings. At a point later in the family relationship, this shifts to where the role of the female declines, and the male will provide most food in later stages
6. American Goldfinches are the only type of finch that molt their feathers two times a year - once in late winter and again in late summer
7. Goldfinches are irregular in migration - they commonly travel south if winter conditions in their area get below 30 degrees Fahrenheit, but if temperatures remain above that through winter and there is an abundant food source, they may stick around all year
8. Plant Purple Coneflowers or sunflowers in your flower beds and gardens to attract American Goldfinches, they are some of their favorite snacks
9. Because American Goldfinches are strict seed-eaters, they are very easy to attract to feeders. Any size, shape, or style feeder should work, they are not picky!
10. American Goldfinches LOVE seeds! Fill your feeder with Lyric Finch Small Songbird Mix that features canary seed, canola seed, small golden millet seed, sunflower kernels, and Nyjer seed, and watch these brightly colored birds pop in for a treat!

In contrast to the brightly colored male, a female American Goldfinch is much duller in color. RCKeller / iStock / Getty Images Plus