By Obiabin Onukwugha
The Goldfinch is a colourful bird with a bright red face and yellow wing patch. It’s a very sociable bird, often breeding in loose groups.
As the only finch in its subfamily to undergo a complete molt, goldfinch displays sexual dichromatism: the male is a vibrant yellow in the summer and an olive color during the winter, while the female is a dull yellow-brown shade which brightens only slightly during the summer. The male displays brightly colored plumage during the breeding season to attract a mate.
Goldfinch has a delightful twittering song and call. Their fine beaks allow them to extract otherwise inaccessible seeds from thistles and teasels.
It is migratory, ranging from mid-Alberta to North Carolina during the breeding season, and from just south of the Canada–United States border to Mexico during the winter.
The goldfinch is also a diurnal bird, meaning it’s most active during the day. It has excellent flying skills, dipping and rising in a wavelike pattern as it soars. When it’s not airborne, or perched on plants, the bird hops along the ground searching for seeds to eat.
Goldfinches rejoice in a number of old rural names including goldie, gold linnet, redcap and King Harry. The average life span of a goldfinch is ten years.
Goldfinch is prey to blue jays, kestrels, weasels, eastern garter snakes, and cats. Being principally a seed-eater, the bird has an abundant food supply for much of the year, including seeds of thistle, dandelion, ragweed, mullein, cosmos, goatsbeard, sunflower, and alder.
Goldfinch is of immense benefit to the environment. Through dispersing nuts and seeds, this bird contribute to healthy forests and ecosystem by allowing plants to proliferate in new areas which provide food and habitat for other organisms.
As a distinctive bird coveted for its beautiful song as much as its colourful markings, the goldfinch has been held captive by humans for thousands of years and so it is understandable that it was given symbolic meaning.
As early as the Ancient Greeks birds with yellow eyes (and then increasingly any other yellow markings) were imbued with curative powers, especially in alleviating the symptoms of jaundice. This element gives weight to the idea of the goldfinch as a benevolent and magical creature, one that has its source in its main food source, the thistle.
The goldfinch often symbolizes positivity, abundance, and the importance of staying joyful in life’s journey.
According to European folklore, it is believed that goldfinches bring happiness and prosperity to those who encounter them. Their vibrant yellow plumage and melodious songs are seen as signs of good luck and positive energy. In some traditions, goldfinches are associated with love and romance.
In ancient Egypt, people worship goldfinch and are considered as a holy bird. It is also said that people after death turned into goldfinch. So Egyptians also considered them as their ancestors. If they visit you it is a sign of giving divine power from your ancestor. It is like a blessing from your ancestor.
In Chinese tradition, goldfinch are considered as the lucky omen. It reflects the blessings of health and prosperity. According to Chinese tradition, a goldfinch visit your home will be your good luck that god has given you the success and luck already.
The Goldfinch totem tells that if you give up in your given situation it means you have given up with everything. It comes into your life to encourage you that you are able to do whatever you want with your hard work.