The American Goldfinch is a small, vibrant songbird known for its distinctive yellow plumage and cheerful disposition. These charming finches are common throughout much of North America, frequenting open areas, gardens, and backyard feeders[6]. Male goldfinches sport brilliant yellow feathers with black wings and a black cap during breeding season, while females and winter birds have a more subdued olive-brown coloration[6].
Goldfinches are highly social birds, often seen in flocks and recognized by their undulating flight pattern and characteristic "po-ta-to-chip" call[6]. They have a particular fondness for thistle seeds and are easily attracted to feeders offering nyjer or sunflower seeds[6]. With a length of 4.3-5.1 inches and a wingspan of 7.5-8.7 inches, these diminutive birds are smaller than a typical sparrow[7].
Beyond their physical appeal, goldfinches have captured human imagination for centuries. They have been featured in art and literature, most notably in Carel Fabritius' 1654 painting "The Goldfinch," which has inspired both admiration and intrigue[5][8]. In folklore, goldfinches have been associated with wealth and prosperity, with some beliefs suggesting that dreaming of a goldfinch portends a wealthy marriage[3].
The goldfinch's cheerful nature and vibrant appearance have made it a beloved symbol of joy and resilience in many cultures, earning it the status of state bird in New Jersey, Iowa, and Washington[6].
美洲金翅雀是一種體型小巧、色彩鮮艷的鳴禽，以其獨特的黃色羽毛和愉悅的性情而聞名。這種迷人的雀鳥在北美大部分地區很常見，經常出現在開闊地區、花園和後院餵鳥器附近。在繁殖季節，雄性金翅雀擁有亮麗的黃色羽毛，黑色翅膀和黑色頭冠，而雌性和冬季的鳥兒則呈現較為樸素的橄欖棕色。
金翅雀是高度群居的鳥類，常常成群出現，以其起伏的飛行模式和特徵性的「po-ta-to-chip」叫聲而被認出。它們特別喜愛薊草種子，很容易被提供乳薊或向日葵種子的餵鳥器吸引。金翅雀的體長為4.3-5.1英寸，翼展為7.5-8.7英寸，比典型的麻雀還要小。
除了外表吸引人之外，金翅雀幾個世紀以來一直激發人類的想像力。它們曾在藝術和文學作品中出現，最著名的是卡雷爾·法布里蒂烏斯1654年的畫作《金翅雀》，這幅畫激發了人們的欣賞和興趣。在民間傳說中，金翅雀與財富和繁榮有關，有些信仰認為夢見金翅雀預示著富裕的婚姻。
金翅雀愉快的天性和鮮艷的外表使其成為許多文化中喜悅和韌性的象徵，並使其成為新澤西州、愛荷華州和華盛頓州的州鳥。
Citations:
[1] https://gerryco23.wordpress.com/2013/10/19/the-goldfinch-symbol-of-salvation-yet-thrice-cursed-enjailed-in-pitiless-wire/
[2] https://natureinnovato.com/2020/05/26/this-goldfinch-is-not-lesser/
[3] https://nelliecole.com/2020/07/10/folkdays-goldfinches/
[4] https://litcritpop.com/2017/09/28/donna-tartts-the-goldfinch-and-the-meaning-of-life/
[5] http://artvent-artventures.blogspot.com/2016/12/the-goldfinch-truth-in-art-and-life.html
[6] https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Goldfinch/overview
[7] https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Goldfinch/id
[8] https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20161207-the-intriguing-mystery-of-the-goldfinch
