Meet the American Goldfinch

Spinus tristis

American Goldfinch

You likely recognize the male of this species, sporting feathers that brighten to a brilliant yellow in late winter as a welcome sign of spring. This acrobatic bird is observed year-round in Northeast Ohio and is considered common, given its global breeding population of 44 million. However, we find the species to be anything but common, especially given intriguing aspects related to its feeding and nesting practices.

Home Sweet Home

Notable Nests

Goldfinches breed later than most birds, waiting until June or July, and with good reason. It’s when their go-to plant resources start producing fibrous seeds. The female uses the plant fibers to weave a nest so tight, it can hold water. She then uses the fluffy pappus material from the seedhead (such as what’s found on the inside of a Milkweed seed pod) to make a soft, downy lining.

And get this – She actually seeks out the sticky silk from spider webs to use as a natural “super glue” to fasten the nest to its foundation, usually a forked branch 4-10′ up in a shrub or tree sapling, even as high as 30′ up in an established tree.

Altogether, it takes her 6 days to build the 2-5″ tall x 3″ wide nest that will become home to the 5 bluish-white eggs she’ll incubate! And while it’s typically shaded and protected by clusters of leaves or needles above, the nest is usually open and visible from below. So, look up and around when walking the yard this summer!

What's for Dinner

Protein Packs

Goldfinches are strictly granivorous, swallowing only the occasional insects by accident while feeding on the seeds of their favorite flowering plants. This largely includes varieties of the Asteraceae family, also known as composite plants, with daisy-like flowers featuring a distinct eye and petals that extend from the center like rays.

Think about the amazing annuals like Sunflower and Zinnia, perfect perennials like Coneflower (Echinacea), Tickseed (Coreopsis), and Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), and native “weeds” like thistle and dandelion. It is plants like these that eventually produce the seeds and fibrous materials goldfinches rely on for nest construction and key nutrients.

If you’ve ever noticed, goldfinches are uniquely capable of lightly and delicately balancing on the seedheads of these plants long enough to pluck and procure their precious proteins!

A Finch Favorite

Hanging Feeders

Favorite Food: Nyjer® Seed
Prefered Feeder: Tube Feeder

Most of the plants goldfinches rely on go to seed later in the summer, and so it’s important to support them over the winter and through the entire spring season (when seeds are scarcely available in nature) by installing feeders.

Nyjer® Seed, black oil sunflower seeds, and hulled sunflower seeds (no shells) served up in tube feeders are a goldfinch’s favorite. Petitti Premium Finch Mix combines all of these favorites in one delicious blend!

backyard birding

creating an oasis

Whether it’s for the American Goldfinch or another Northeast Ohio feathered friend, backyard birding is quite easy. It creates a meaningful way to connect with outdoor nature year-round, and it boils down to providing the three basic necessities of shelter, food, and water.

Learn more about backyard birding

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We have nine locations across Northeast Ohio, spanning the Cleveland, Akron-Canton, and Youngstown communities. Search here to find the location most convenient for you.

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