We have American Goldfinches year around, but have many more during the winter. They are one of our most common feeder birds. When the Goldfinches start really getting into their breeding plumage in the spring, most head north.
"The goldfinch’s main natural habitats are weedy fields and floodplains, where plants such as thistles and asters are common. They’re also found in cultivated areas, roadsides, orchards, and backyards. American Goldfinches can be found at feeders any time of year, but most abundantly during winter." (From The Cornell Lab of Ornithology where there are many more photos and more information about these beautiful little bird.)
I'm not much of a birder, but I believe the top photo is a male and the bottom a female. If anyone with more experience disagrees, I'll be glad to make a correction in this post. Both birds were at the feeder hanging outside our dining nook window. Many people feed thistle seeds to Goldfinches and I'm sure the birds enjoy them, but our Goldfinches have never refused the sunflower seeds we feed.
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23 comments:
Beautiful little birds. I have them here, too. I need to restock my Niger Thistle feeder and put it out.
I really like your bird feeder.
What little Beauties! I like Finches. They have some sort of attitude :D
That feeder is lovely too!
The markings on the male are gorgeous. The feeder is a neat idea!
I think you are right Marvin. Your goldfinches sure like the feeder Jo made. We had 10 at our feeders this morning. That is good for us. It is snowing here again.
Pat: I'm sure your Goldfinches will appreciate the thistle treat.
Nicole: Yes, a little bird with a big attitude is and accurate description.
Jennifer: The males almost seem to have a "golden glow" when in their breeding plumage.
Lisa: Occasionally a finch will choose the feeder as an overnight roost.
APPEALING bird
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
I'm in Iowa, summer home to the goldfinch. I love watches them dart around outside my office window. Nice bird feeder, too.
Roger: Thanks for the visit and alphabetically correct comment. :-)
A Piece of News: I'm glad you enjoy our Goldfinches. :-)
They never seem phased by anything -- cold, bigger birds, house finches! We enjoy the full blown yellow of their summer foliage up here in Michigan when they have left you!
HelenMac, ABC Team
I love the American goldfinches and I enjoyed your shots of them. I have a lot of them in the summer but I rarely see them in the winter.
I think you're right about the sexes. Nice clear shots there, and I love that feeder.
I was so disappointed the first year I put out a feeder for the finches, because I expected them to be yellow all year. Still, they are cute.
And thanks for the tip about the squirrels at my place.
I think you're right about the sexes. Nice clear shots there, and I love that feeder.
I was so disappointed the first year I put out a feeder for the finches, because I expected them to be yellow all year. Still, they are cute.
And thanks for the tip about the squirrels at my place.
I have many goldfinch and visiting redpolls at both the thistle and sunflower seed feeders especially with the very cold weather we are having. I love the feeder that your wife made Marvin.....Michelle
Lovely looking birds. Quite different to our Goldfinches here.
A great bird and beautiful shots!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
I love this time of year when the males put on that bright yellow coloring---they dont stick around here to breed but they turn before leaving much of the time and if a storm blows through they come back down to visit--and then come fall they come to winter with us.
Lovely photos of the Goldfinches.
Lovely birds to see and well captured.
Great pictures. We had goldfinches at our feeders back when we had our house in Oregon. Back then we fed only black oil sunflower seeds b/c we were working and that was just about all the feeder we had time to handle! Most birds seemed to enjoy them. We'd even scatter them on the ground sometimes for the ground feeders (and occasionally got a nice sunflower crop ;>)
Great photos, the Goldfinches are sweet looking birds. Love the colorful male in the summer months.
Great post! I love to watch these beautiful little birds.
It's always fun to see these lovely birds!
Cool feeders Marvin! Like the rest of us Northerners I can't wait to see see those bright yellow feathers, the official beginning of spring!
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