The good-luck bird (actually a stylized version of the goldfinch) of the Pennsylvania Germans, frequently painted on barns as a symbol of good luck and happiness. Derived from "Distelfink", Pennsylvania Dutch for "thistlefinch", or goldfinch.
Early German settlers in Pennsylvania thought of the distlefink, or goldfinch, as the bird of happiness and good luck for all.
by tstadler July 26, 2008