Unlimited edition. 18 x 24 inch, museum-quality poster on matte paper.

I had more requests for an American goldfinch poster than any other species. That’s understandable; the breeding male’s cheery yellows pop alongside his rich black, making him a very snappy fellow. Curious, then, that his scientific binomial, Spinus tristis, translates as the “sorrowful unknown finch” or “sad unknown bird.” Not only does that name contrast with his plumage; it’s also at odds with typical goldfinch behavior and the bird’s songs and calls. Described by 20th century ornithologist Arthur Cleveland Bent, “The goldfinch is an active little bird, always in the best of spirits. It has a definite personality exemplifying light-hearted cheerfulness, restlessness, sociability, and untiring activity." How…sorrowful and sad? 🧐

Note: These archival poster prints feature rich, appealing colors. I encourage customers to take care in handling them until they are framed/protected for display; the darker colors on the matte paper can be scratched. They ship rolled, so customers need to flatten them before framing (or have their framer do so).

Charitable Sales Model: Whenever one of these poster prints is purchased, a charitable contribution equal to 10% of the print’s cost (or $3.60) is made to a nonprofit working to tackle environmental or social challenges. Read more about my charitable sales model here.