If you’re walking through a wet, mossy meadow in the Puget Sound or driving past a thistle-heavy field in the Yakima Valley, you’ll probably see a flash of bright, lemon-yellow feathers. It’s vibrant. It’s quick. Honestly, it’s one of the few things that stays bright during those gray, drizzly November afternoons that define the Pacific Northwest. That little spark of color is the state bird of Washington, the American Goldfinch.
Most people just call them "wild canaries." It’s a bit of a misnomer, but you can see why the nickname stuck. They have that high-pitched, bouncy flight pattern that looks like they’re riding an invisible roller coaster. But here’s the thing—Washington almost didn't pick this bird. There was actually a bit of a legislative scuffle back in the day because the choice wasn't as obvious as you'd think for a state famous for its rugged coastline and towering evergreens.
How the American Goldfinch Won the Vote
It wasn’t a group of politicians in suits who picked the state bird of Washington. Not originally, anyway. In 1928, the decision was basically handed over to school kids. You’ve got to love the chaos of a student election. The kids overwhelmingly chose the Meadowlark. It makes sense, right? Meadowlarks have that iconic, flute-like song that carries across open fields. But there was a massive problem: seven other states had already claimed the Meadowlark.
Washington didn't want to be a copycat.
Fast forward to 1951. After years of unofficial back-and-forth, the Washington State Federation of Women’s Clubs teamed up with the state’s schools to hold another vote. This time, the American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) beat out the Willow Goldfinch. Technically, the law designates the "Willow Goldfinch," but ornithologists will tell you that’s basically just a regional subspecies of the American Goldfinch. Most birders today just use the broader name. It was officially inaugurated by the legislature on April 17, 1951.
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What Makes the State Bird of Washington Unique?
Nature is weird. The American Goldfinch is the only finch in its subfamily that undergoes a complete molt twice a year. If you see one in the winter, you might not even recognize it. They trade that "Caution: Wet Floor" yellow for a dull, brownish-olive coat that blends into the dead grass and gray skies. It’s a survival tactic.
These birds are strict vegetarians. That sounds like a lifestyle choice, but for them, it’s literal. While most "seed-eating" birds will still snag a caterpillar or a beetle to give their chicks some protein, the state bird of Washington almost exclusively eats seeds. They love thistles. They love sunflowers. If you have a bird feeder with Nyjer seed (those tiny black thistle seeds), you’ve basically opened a five-star restaurant for them.
Because of this diet, they nest much later than other birds. Most birds are busy feeding chicks in April or May. The Goldfinch? They wait until July or August. Why? Because that’s when the thistles and wildflowers go to seed. They need that fluff to line their nests and the seeds to feed their young. It’s a fascinating bit of evolutionary timing.
Identifying the Goldfinch in the Wild
You don’t need a fancy pair of Swarovski binoculars to spot them. Look for these specific traits:
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- The Flight: They don't fly in a straight line. They dip and dive. If you hear a "per-chic-o-ree" call every time the bird rises in its flight path, that’s your goldfinch.
- The Beak: Short, conical, and powerful. It’s built for cracking open stubborn husks.
- The Sexual Dimorphism: The males are the showstoppers with jet-black caps and wings during the summer. The females are more subdued—a matte olive-yellow that helps them hide while sitting on the nest.
The "Wild Canary" Misconception
People call them wild canaries all the time. It’s a bit of a pet peeve for local birders. While they are in the same family (Fringillidae), they aren't the same species as the birds you see in pet stores. The confusion likely started because of their song. It’s a long, rambling series of twitters and trills that can last for several seconds. It sounds remarkably like a domestic canary, especially when a group of them gets going in a "charm"—which, by the way, is the actual collective noun for a group of goldfinches. A charm of finches. Pretty fitting, right?
Where to Find Them in Washington
The state bird of Washington is surprisingly adaptable. You don't have to hike into the North Cascades to find one. In fact, you’re more likely to see them in suburban backyards or along the edges of highways. They love "disturbed" land. When humans clear a patch of woods and weeds start growing in, the goldfinches move in.
If you’re looking for a specific weekend trip, head to the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia. The mixture of open grasslands and riparian edges is Goldfinch heaven. Another great spot is the Walla Walla River delta. They thrive in the agricultural fringes where seeds are plenty. Honestly, though, just look at any roadside patch of Himalayan Blackberry or Canadian Thistle in late summer. You’ll see them clinging to the stalks, oblivious to the traffic.
Conservation and the Future
Generally speaking, the American Goldfinch is doing okay. They aren't on the endangered list. However, they are sensitive to timing. Because they rely so heavily on the late-summer seed cycle, shifts in the climate that cause plants to bloom and seed earlier or later can mess with their nesting success.
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Urbanization is a double-edged sword for them. They lose nesting habitat when fields are paved over, but they gain food sources from people hanging bird feeders. If you want to help them out, stop deadheading your sunflowers in the fall. Let the flowers turn brown and ugly. Those dried-out heads are a vital winter food source for the state bird of Washington.
Practical Steps for Washington Residents and Visitors
If you want to experience the state bird up close, there are a few things you can do right now. Don't just look at a picture in a book. Get out there.
- Plant native thistles or sunflowers. Avoid the invasive "Bull Thistle" if you can, but anything in the Asteraceae family is like a magnet for them.
- Keep your cat indoors. This is a tough one for some folks, but goldfinches are ground-feeders and low-nesters. They are incredibly vulnerable to outdoor cats.
- Use Nyjer feeders. These are specialized mesh bags or tubes with tiny holes. Larger birds like jays or starlings can't get to the seed, leaving it all for the goldfinches.
- Listen for the "roller coaster." Next time you’re outside, don't look for the color first. Listen for the rhythmic chirping that matches a bouncing flight. Once you hear it, you'll realize they are everywhere.
Washington's landscape is diverse, from the rain forests of the Hoh to the deserts of the Coulee. The American Goldfinch managed to weave itself into all of it. It’s a resilient, bright little bird that perfectly represents the spirited nature of the Northwest.
The next time you see that flash of yellow against a backdrop of evergreen trees, you're looking at more than just a bird. You're looking at a piece of Washington history that was settled by the voices of thousands of school children who wanted a bird that felt like home.
Actionable Insights for Birding Enthusiasts:
To maximize your chances of seeing the American Goldfinch in its full "breeding plumage," plan your birdwatching trips between May and August. During the winter months, focus on identifying them by their "notched" tail and white wing bars, as their bright yellow color will be faded to a dull olive. For the best local data on sightings, use the eBird app managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology; it provides real-time maps of where the state bird of Washington has been spotted in your specific zip code within the last 24 hours.