Eastern goldfinch on thistle; photo by Jen Goellnitz on Flickr (noncommercial use permitted with attribution / no derivative works).
Official State Bird of Iowa
Iowa designated the eastern goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) as the official state bird in 1933. Also called American goldfinch or wild canary, the eastern goldfinch is found throughout Iowa and often stays through the winter months. All State Birds
Eastern Goldfinch Facts
The diet of the eastern Goldfinch consists mainly of seeds from dandelions, sunflowers, ragweed, and evening primrose.
The male goldfinch has a bright yellow body with black wings and tail, and black on top of his head. The female's plumage is more muted with an olive-yellow body and dark brown tail and wings (the male goldfinch also displays this same dull plumage in the winter months).
