"Papa's favorite bird"

The American Goldfinch is one of the most beautiful birds I’ve ever seen. 

You can recognize it by its bright yellow body, black wings with white stripes, and black cap and forehead. 

It is migratory, ranging from southern Canada to North Carolina during the breeding season, and from just south of the Canadian border to Mexico during the winter.

It is my favorite bird, and takes my breath away each time I see one dining on the thistles that are growing on the side of our house.