The brightly colored male American goldfinch is especially recognizable ... It is often heard in flight, giving distinct flight calls. Polytypic (4 named ssp.; differences slight).

There is, however, one species of bird that only appears to vanish. The American goldfinch (Spinus tristis) is probably one of the most recognizable birds in North America and images of this species ...

Although many people are familiar with the American goldfinch, they might not realize there are actually three goldfinch ...

The female American goldfinch is larger and has white undertail coverts, a wide buffy lower wing bar with very little white at the base for the flight feathers, and a pale pinkish bill.