goldfinch

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: gold=finch

CIDE DICTIONARY

goldfinch, n. [AS. goldfinc. See Gold, and Finch.].

 A beautiful bright-colored European finch (Carduelis elegans). The name refers to the large patch of yellow on the wings. The front of the head and throat are bright red; the nape, with part of the wings and tail, black; -- called also goldspink, goldie, fool's coat, drawbird, draw-water, thistle finch, and sweet William.  [1913 Webster]
" The name is also applied to other yellow finches, esp. to several additional American species of Spinus."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

goldfinch, n. any of various bright-coloured songbirds of the genus Carduelis, esp. the Eurasian C. carduelis, with a yellow band across each wing.

Etymology

OE goldfinc (as GOLD, FINCH)