Finch Feeding Tips

Unlike most other birds that come to our feeders, Goldfinches eat seed almost exclusively.  In fact, unlike many other finches, Goldfinch chicks are fed few, if any, insects.  Instead they get the same seeds their parents eat.  When a parent returns to feed its young, its crop is full of partially digested seed -- enough to feed the whole brood!  Because of the amount of food brought each time, the young are only fed twice each hour. Perched at and around the feeders, Goldfinches eat seed after seed. It gives us a wonderful opportunity to watch them at length.  We love the BirdQuest™ Spiral feeder because it has more openings of feeder than standard "perch restricted" feeders.  Its Flip N Fill™ feature means you can fill it from the top one time and the bottom the next.  This means seed never gets old in the bottom of the feeder! If your finches have stopped coming to your feeders, it could be because the old seed keeps getting packed down and drawing moisture when you always fill from the top.  Either use a BirdQuest™  feeder or remember to dump out old seed and mix with new seed, and then refill.

Nyjer seed resembles grains of wild rice and is coveted by Goldfinches for its high fat and protein content.  House Finches, Purple Finches, Towhees, Pine Siskins, and Juncos also enjoy a little nyjer in their diet.  Nyjer imported into the United States has been heated to prevent it from germinating -- so seed sprouting is not a concern. Mixing nyjer seed with fine-chopped sunflower kernels reduces the mess on the yard and patio -- Also, the Pine Siskins and others like it better than straight nyjer. All finch mixes require a special feeder with very small openings.  Some of the best can be found here. The Little Chickadee carries many more brands and styles of finch feeders.  View all of them here.

Goldfinch Facts

• What is a group of these birds called?  A charm of Goldfinches...

• Goldfinches are primarily monogomous birds, but a few females will seek a different partner after producing the first brood.  These prolific females leave their original mate behind to raise their fledglings, while they journey off to start a few family.

• The American Goldfinch is the only member of its family to complete two full molts a year.  All other species only molt once in the fall, but Goldfinches undergo a total molt of their body feathers in the spring as well -- just in time for breeding season.

• When other songbirds are finished with breeding season, the American Goldfinch is just getting started!  They are one of the latest birds to breed -- typically waiting until late June or early July.

• You can encourage Goldfinches to nest in your yard by providing nest material such as the following:

Gardening for Goldfinches

Habitat can also be a key to attracting Goldfinches.  In this case, you do LESS work, not more.  Don't worry about dandelions -- Goldfinches love 'em.  And don't cut off the tops of your Marigolds, Zinnias, Cosmos, or Coneflowers.  Goldfinches love them!

Goldfinch gift ideas

Want to learn more?