goldfinch

American  

[gohld-finch] / ˈgoʊldˌfɪntʃ /

noun

1. a European finch, Carduelis carduelis, having a crimson face and wings marked with yellow.

2. any of certain related American finches of the genus Carduelis, as C. tristis, the male of which has yellow body plumage in the summer.

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goldfinch British  

/ ˈɡəʊldˌfɪntʃ /

noun

1. a common European finch, Carduelis carduelis, the adult of which has a red-and-white face and yellow-and-black wings

2. any of several North American finches of the genus Spinus, esp the yellow-and-black species S. tristis

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Etymology

Origin of goldfinch

before 1000; Middle English; Old English goldfinc. See gold, finch

Example Sentences

A male and a female goldfinch, white-breasted nuthatches, slate-colored juncos, chickadees and tufted titmice were just some we could name.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2023

Birds are ancient symbols for the soul, and for Christianity the goldfinch had come to signal resurrection.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 20, 2021

There are glorious leaves, flowers and a small goldfinch in the bottom left corner.

From New York Times • Jul. 29, 2020

Why do they describe these as “canary” yellow, when even novice bird-watchers know the hue is much closer to a warbler or immature goldfinch?

From Washington Post • Mar. 26, 2020

A canary- colored goldfinch is perched on the railing, looking at the empty bird feeder dangling above it.

From "Out of My Mind" by Sharon M. Draper