Because, technically speaking, Willow Goldfinch still
exists or never was... depending upon whether you're a glass
half empty or half full kind of person.

Willow Goldfinch is the vernacular name for the local
subspecies (_Carduelis tristis [salicamans] jewetti_) and
would have been at the time it was adopted by the State of
Washington. The "willow" golfinch is smaller and browner
in basic plumage than the interior or eastern subspecies.

Calliopehb at aol.com wrote:
>
> Hi Tweeters,
> While lunching alone today at a Thai restaurant, I entertained myself with a
> trivia booklet at the table. One of the questions asked what the Official
> Washington State bird is and the answer given was a Willow Goldfinch. Having not
> heard of such a bird, I was sure the publication was in error. Upon my arrival
> at home, I went to the government website and discovered the information given
> was the same. I assume the bird is now called an American Goldfinch. I also
> checked my oldest field guide "Birds of North America", copywrited 1983 and
> there is no reference to Willow Goldfinch. Does anyone know when the name was
> changed and why the name hasn't been amended by our State Government?
> Happily Birding,
> Beth Thompson
> Arlington, WA
> calliopehb at aol.com

--
Mike Patterson
Astoria, OR
celata at pacifier.com

I do not know which to prefer,
The beauty of inflections
Or the beauty of innuendoes,
The blackbird whistling
Or just after.

- Wallace Stevens

http://www.pacifier.com/~mpatters/bird/bird.html