American Goldfinch - Carduelis tristis
© 2008 Greg Cope
An American Goldfinch in winter plumage, Menlo Park, California. A small finch, this bird undergoes a molt in the spring and fall; in the spring the male undergoes a change to a bright golden plumage to attract mates. Represented here is the winter plumage, where the colors represent more of a dull golden plumage.