Small finch varying from bright yellow to drab brown. Short, thick, pointy bill. Pink legs. Alternate Male: bright yellow with black cap, forehead and eye. Pink bill. Black wings with yellow lesser coverts, two white wingbars and white tertial edges. Black tail with white streaks. White rump and undertail coverts. Alternate female similar to male except drab yellow throat, breast and belly. Olive colored head and back. Paler black wings and tail. Buffy wingbars. Winter adult male: brownish-olive overall. Yellowish face. Dull pink bill. White belly, under-tail coverts and rump. Black and white wings and tail. Winter adult female similar to male, but grayer overall. Juvenile: brown overall. Dusky bill. White undertail coverts. Black and white tail. Buffy and white wings.

Length: 13 (cm) Wingspan: 23 (cm)

Voice:

Song a variety of repeated, high pitched musical phrases. Call: thin, long, drawn-out notes. Flight call: distinctive tu- tididi or similar variation.

Habitat:

Edges of woodlands, shrubby or weedy areas and fields.

Behavior:

Form gregarious flocks with same species or other species of finches/goldfinches. Very active. Often found foraging in weeds near or on the ground.

Feeding:

Diet composed of mainly seeds, especially thistle. Often eats dandelion seeds. Occasionally preys on insects.