During the past several summers in our neighborhood I usually see a few Goldfinches visiting the feeders, probably unmated birds. By then they will begin to drift into outlying areas across the countryside to begin nesting. We are left with our resident Goldfinches that will continue to patronize bird feeders in urbanized areas until late June. But by the second week in May the northern population has moved back to their summer range. They can become quite abundant around feeding stations. This dexterity enables it to take advantage of food sources relatively inaccessible to potential competitors, increasing its chances of survival.Ä«etween March and early May when our resident Goldfinches return joining the northern Goldfinches that are waiting to move back north has been dubbed finch season by those who maintain thistle feeders. In the spring, the American Goldfinch feeds on the catkins hanging from birches and alders by pulling one up with its beak and using its toes to hold the catkin still against the branch. It frequently hangs from seed-heads while feeding in order to reach the seeds more easily. Unlike some finch species, the American Goldfinch uses its feet extensively in feeding. I have a seed tube feeder filled with Nutra-Saf safflower seed which seems to attract them as well. At backyard bird feeders they prefer Nyjer thistle, black oil sunflower seed and hulled sunflowers. Goldfinches are common in suburbs, parks, and urban areas. They will also feed on the seed heads of grasses and dandelions along with the seeds of alder, birch, and cedar trees. The conical shape and size of the Goldfinches beak aids in the extraction of seeds from the seed heads of thistles, sunflowers, and other composite plants while clinging with their feet. This habitat preference continues during the spring and autumn migrations. These areas are particularly prime habitat when overgrown with sunflowers, asters, and thistle plants providing a good food source with scattered shrubs and small trees for nesting. They are also found along the edges of open deciduous and riparian woodlands and areas of secondary growth. The American Goldfinch prefers open country where weeds thrive, such as fields, meadows, flood plains, along roadsides, in orchards, and gardens. By March our resident Goldfinch return joining the northern population which will remain here into early May before returning north following the dandelion blooms. They are replaced by the northern population which moves south from Canada during the winter months. ![]() Considered a short distance migrant, many of our summer residents Goldfinches drift south toward the Gulf Coast and southwestern United States into Mexico during the winter months. They occur across Southern Canada during the summer breeding season then move south. Goldfinch can be found year round from the Carolinas northward across the central and northern U.S. These handsome little finches are the state bird of New Jersey, Iowa and Washington. The American Goldfinch measures 4.5 to 5 inches in length with a wingspan of 7.5 to 8.5 inches weighing in at less than an ounce. Although the beak is dull most of the year it becomes bright orange with the spring molt. But even in their basic plumage the white wing bars remain an identifiable feature along with the notched tail, conical beak, and lack of streaking. The male displays brightly colored plumage during the breeding season to attract a mate. ![]() The female on the hand is a dull yellow-brown shade which brightens only slightly during the summer. In basic plumage during the winter months he molts into an olive drab. These small finches are commonly referred to as wild canaries with the male a vibrant yellow in the summer. ![]() One of the most popular birds attracted to backyard bird feeders is the American Goldfinch.
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