Sounds

Figure 5. Typical vocalizations of the American Goldfinch.

Vocalizations

Described, and supported with sonographs, by Coutlee (1971). Song learning remains a capability of adults (Mundinger 1970). Vocalizations important to social behavior. Song and breeding calls characteristic of summer months. Song most pronounced in early morning and evening, but rhythmicity varies with intensity of summer heat.

Development

Begging calls develop in young birds soon after hatching. Such calls simple, initially soft, but become clearly audible at about tenth day (Coutlee 1971, Knight and Temple 1986). Nearing nest departure, begging call becomes more complex and formed of 2 notes tsee-tsoo, the second lower-pitched. As young reach independence, begging calls gradually replaced by array of maturing calls. Young males gradually begin to produce subsong, apparently developed from begging calls assembled together then altered in pitch and general structure (Coutlee 1971). Pitch is lower than that of adults and of longer duration (Coutlee 1971). By late summer and early autumn subsong becomes conspicuous amongst fully independent young males, and is a characteristic sound of late season flocks (ALAM).

Goldfinches appear to retain call learning into adulthood and may lack a critical song learning phase (Mundinger 1970). Paired birds assume almost identical flight-call patterns, suggesting that pair recognition is based on development of pair-specific calls (Mundinger 1970). In two broods of American Goldfinches hatched and fostered by Canaries (Serinus canarius), males developed canary-like song (ALAM).

Vocal Array

Six different groups of vocalizations identified: Contact Calls, Threat Cries, Alarm and Distress Cries, Courtship and Pre-coition Calls, Feeding Calls, and Song (Coutlee 1971). Feeding Calls produced by females and chicks; Courtship Calls and Song, characteristic of the breeding season, produced by males (Coutlee 1971). No information on geographic variation.

Contact Calls. Figure 5. The tsee-tsi-tsi-tsit (or po-ta-to-chip) Contact Call is the most widely used vocalization. Apparently functions to localize the producer and maintain auditory contact (Coutlee 1971). Produced both in flight and when stationary. Contact Calls are short and high-pitched (Mundinger 1970, Coutlee 1971).

Threat Calls. A harsh, fragmented call with broad frequency range (Fig. 1f in Coutlee 1971). Accompanies Threat Displays and chases by dominant individuals. Commonly heard in feeding flocks, as sexual behavior becomes obvious in spring, and at nests (ALAM).

Alarm and Distress Calls. Two types of Alarm Calls: the swee-eet call, given throughout the year when danger not immediate, and bay-bee call, characteristic of birds at nest (Knight and Temple 1986). Bay-bee call of 2 notes (Figs. 2f and 3c in Coutlee 1971, Knight and Temple 1986). Given with increasing urgency as threat becomes more real; accompanied by agitated behavior. An easily recognizable signal to humans searching for nests. Distress calls seldom heard naturally but common when birds are handled. Call loud, covering wide frequency range (Fig. 3f in Coutlee 1971).

Courtship and Pre-coition Calls. The tee-yee or tee-yer produced by males in late spring and throughout nesting period (Fig. 3i in Coutlee 1971) and sometimes accompanied by short burst of song (Stokes 1950). Given as part of song display or when male lands close to female. Functions to attract female and, depending on female response, provides signal for copulation.

Feeding Calls. Produced as rapid sequence of notes of high frequency (Fig. 5c in Coutlee 1971) in response to mate’s call. Given as female anticipates male’s arrival during breeding behavior (pair formation and nesting), or from nest. Begging calls of chicks are softer and simpler (see above).

Song. Figure 5 . Composed of discrete notes and phrases, but highly variable and repeated in apparently random order (see also Fig. 7c in Coutlee 1971), culminating in song that is rambling and warbling (Stokes 1950). Song of comparatively long duration (Coutlee 1971). Song heard throughout late spring and breeding season. Given while males in display flight, from wires and tree tops throughout the breeding habitat, and while males accompany females during nest building. Song may serve to attract mates, advertise territory, and support territorial defense (Coutlee 1971). Because role of territorial behavior in American Goldfinch is debatable (e.g., Stokes 1950, Middleton 1979), the territorial aspects of song need thorough study.

Nonvocal Sounds

None.