The eastern goldfinch is the state bird of Iowa and is often found at bird feeders. It is a subspecies of the American goldfinch and exhibits sexual dimorphism. Iowa’s state symbol also includes the wild rose, oak tree, and geode, and is known for its corn production and famous plane crash.
The eastern goldfinch is the state bird of Iowa. While technically a subspecies of the American goldfinch, many sources use the names interchangeably. This small bird is generally between 4 inches and 5 inches long and has a wingspan of about 8 inches. It mainly consumes seeds, so it is a frequent visitor to residential bird feeders. Eastern goldfinches are typically monogamous and pairs produce a single brood each year.
Curiosity about the American goldfinch
One of his vocalizations sounds like “po-ta-to-chip”.
The scientific name of the American goldfinch is Spinus tristis. In sources identifying the eastern goldfinch as a subspecies, its designation is Spinus tristis tristis.
Some favorite foods include sunflower seeds, elm and thistle as well as beets.
Deciduous trees and shrubs are common nesting spots, and most nests are within 30 feet of the ground.
The eastern goldfinch is also the state bird of New Jersey.
The Willow Goldfinch (another subspecies) is the state bird of Washington.
Although it has been nearly a century since the Iowa Legislature adopted its state bird, Iowa does not have an official state animal.
What does the Eastern Goldfinch look like?
Eastern goldfinches exhibit sexual dimorphism, meaning that male and female birds look different in appearance. The contrast is especially evident during the summer mating season. During the fall, both sexes are mostly olive brown, with a pale yellow bib and face, and a buff underpart. The male also has yellow spots on the shoulders. Throughout the year, the female has dark brown tail feathers and matching bars on the wings. The male displays black wing bars and black tail feathers.
In summer, the female’s plumage lightens to a yellowish brown and displays a yellow bib. The male eastern goldfinch gains brightly colored plumage each year after the spring moult. During the summer, it has a bright yellow body with a striking black cap. The white feathers under its short tail are visible in flight. The bright summer plumage of the male is designed to attract a mate.
Why is the Eastern Goldfinch the State Bird of Iowa?
Also called the wild canary, the eastern goldfinch was adopted as the official state bird by the Iowa Legislature in 1933. At an annual meeting in Des Moines, the Iowa Ornithological Union voted to recommend the eastern goldfinch to the General Assembly of Iowa as the choice for the official state bird. Sources indicate it was chosen because it is commonly found throughout Iowa.
What is the state symbol of Iowa?
The Great Seal of the State of Iowa was originally created in 1847. The seal features several symbols, including the Mississippi River, an eagle carrying a banner of the state motto, a field filled with various farm implements, and a citizen soldier holding an american flag. Iowa’s motto is “We value our freedoms and will maintain our rights.”
Along with the seal, the Hawkeye State has several other state emblems.
The Iowa flag has vertical bars of blue, white, and red. The white center bar shows an eagle carrying a blue and white banner of the state motto over “Iowa” in red. Because the design wasn’t adopted until 1921, the eagle on the flag is likely derived from the one on the state seal, which is based on the national bird of the United States
The state flower of Iowa is the wild rose and the state tree is the oak.
The official song of Iowa is, appropriately, The Song of Iowa, written by SHM Byers in 1867 and adopted in 1911.
Iowa also has an official state rock: the geode.
What is Iowa famous for?
Along with its black and yellow state bird, Iowa is known for many other things:
It has more pigs than any other state.
The plane crash that killed Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly and JP “the Big Bopper” Richardson occurred near Clear Lake, Iowa. It was “the day the music died”.
The state is the top producer of corn in the US
It’s the birthplace of sliced bread, Pinterest, Eskimo Pie ice cream bars, and the Red Delicious apple.
If you’re an Iowa native, you’ve probably seen hundreds of eastern goldfinches in your local lawns and yards. This cheerful little bird is found throughout the state and sometimes even stays there into the winter.
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