AppearanceBreeding males are brilliant canary-yellow with a black forehead cap and black-and-white wings. Females and winter males are olive-yellow. Bill is small, conical, and pink-orange — designed for seed-cracking.HabitatOpen areas with scattered trees: weedy fields, roadsides, and gardens. Rarely enters dense forest. Favors areas with thistles, sunflowers, and other seed-producing plants.BehaviourStrictly vegetarian — the most plant-dependent diet of any North American finch. Moves in bouncing, undulating flight while calling 'po-ta-to-chip'. Breeds later than most songbirds, waiting for thistle down to ripen for nest lining.SeasonalityYear-round in most of range; northern populations move south in winter, often visiting feeders in large flocks.RangeNorth America from southern Canada through the United States. Partial migrant; most birds do not migrate far.