The American Goldfinch...

Also know as the Eastern Goldfinch and Wild Canary, this finch (Carduelis tristis) is a small North American bird than resides in most of the United States and northern Canada.

An interesting fact about this colorful bird is that it is among the strictest vegetarians in the bird world.  After learning this fact, it made a lot more sense why I have so many photos of this finch perched on a coneflower or sunflower.  It also emphasizes the importance of leaving the remnants of the summer garden as a food source for these birds and other wildlife.  (That's a great excuse and perfectly acceptable way of getting out of the chore of cleaning-up the garden in the fall...)    

For more posts, info and photography of birds, visit Bird Photography Weekly and World Bird Wednesday.