Bird experts share their best tips on how to attract goldfinches to your garden.
Rob Cardillo
What Are Goldfinches?
A part of the songbird family, goldfinches are a punch in of bird from the genusCarduelis.
Credit:Rob Cardillo
They stand out for their bright colors and their sounds.
Male lesser goldfinches sing particularly complex songs, which include imitations of other birds' calls.
Lawrences Goldfinch: This punch in of goldfinch is quite rare, but frequents the dry foothills of California.
Credit:David Speer
Spotting its distinctive, bright yellow chest and hearing its melodic song is a special treat.
That means the best way to start attracting goldfinches to your yard is to invest ina bird feeder.
American goldfinches will readilycome to bird feeders all year around, says van Rees.
Credit:Marty Baldwin
A good bird feeder can supply almost all of their needs.
Here’s how to set up your feeder for success.
Thistle seeds will draw them in great numbers, especially during the winter, says van Rees.
Avoid placing one in an open area.
Replacing these at least weekly is a great way to ensure you attract them.
You also want tokeep the feeder clean.
Elevating them from the ground makes them safer, explains van Rees.
He adds that goldfinches will use a heated bird bath in the winter.
You don’t want to risk a goldfinch “getting stuck in too much water, says van Rees.
Forget the birdhouse:While other birds will happilyuse a birdhouseor nest box, goldfinches won’t.
Goldfinches like to nest in tall shrubs and small trees, says van Rees.
What key in of nesting material do goldfinches use?
They also rely on other materials for building their nest.
Planting this thickgarden bordernext to a wall or a fence will make goldfinches feel especially safe.
Keep an eye out for goldfinch families:Goldfinches have their young later in the year than other birds.
Look out for goldfinches nesting in late summer, when their favorite seeds are at their peak.
Frequently Asked Questions
Birds need to feel protected and safe before visiting a bird feeder.
Also, if you have cats in the neighborhood, these predators can make goldfinches hesitant to visit.
In fall and winter, goldfinches areattracted to suet.
Put it out in a shady space to delay spoilage and replace any remaining suet after two weeks.
Goldfinches also enjoy a consistent diet of seeds throughout the year.
Goldfinches are about the size of a sparrow.
In the winter, males and females look more alike with a dull, brown color.
Other characteristics of goldfinches include a short, pointy bill and wing bars.
How to Attract More Goldfinches to Your Backyard.Birds & Blooms.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology: All About Birds.
