American goldfinch

Today we’re in South Carolina in the Unites States looking at a beautiful American goldfinch perched atop a sunflower. While the matching colour scheme makes for a great photo, it’s likely this little bird has stopped for a meal. American goldfinches are among the strictest vegetarians in the bird world, preferring grains and seeds, especially sunflower seeds. That’s why it’s not uncommon to see them in neighbourhoods with well-stocked bird feeders. In fact, human activity has generally benefitted American goldfinches overall. The birds thrive in areas where forests have been removed – they prefer open meadows or fields covered in weeds.
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