Goldfinch Feeders Who doesn't love the "wild canary"? Goldfinches with their pretty song and lemony yellow plumage are a welcome addition to any feeding area. At least one of the three species can be found in most areas of the U.S. and they're easy to attract to your yard. And goldfinches are social birds. Once you've attracted one or two, chances are that soon you'll have all their friends at your feeders, brightening up your yard. All birds require food, water and shelter and goldfinches are no exception. You don't really need to offer special foods or feeders to attract these birds. Goldfinches love black oil sunflower seeds. Sunflower is economical and can be fed from tube or platform feeders. But if you really want to make friends with your finches, offer Nyjer seed, formerly called thistle. Goldfinches really can't resist these tiny, nutritious seeds. Nyjer seed is imported--it's not related to the spiny, invasive Canadian thistle with the purple flower that you might be familiar with. And it's also heat treated when it enters this country, so it doesn't sprout in your yard or garden. You can put Nyjer seed on a platform feeder, in a tube feeder made specially for this type of seed, or perhaps a mesh "sock". Nyjer stockings are inexpensive and come in various sizes. Many times you will see dozens of birds feeding at them, clinging to the soft mesh and extracting one seed at a time. Another way to provide for your finches is to allow plants to grow that produce the kinds of seeds they love. You can let a section of your yard go to weeds, hopefully including goldenrod, ragwort, dandelions, pigweed, tarweed, and filaree. Or you can plant a patch of black oil sunflower seeds. These seeds sprout readily and produce a smaller flower than the gray stripe mammoth variety. They are multi branched and make beautiful bouquets. Enjoy their sunny beauty all summer, and in fall enjoy the antics of your goldfinches as they perch atop a nodding seed head, extracting the delicious seeds. Water often attracts birds to your yard that you might not normally see. This is especially true if there are no natural water sources such as creeks or brooks nearby. Birds use water to keep their feathers clean and preened. And although most birds get enough water from the foods they eat, they do seem to enjoy a drink now and then. Goldfinches aren't migratory, so if you choose to invest in a bird bath, you might choose a heated one for winter use. Or you can purchase a stand alone water heater that can be removed from the bath in spring. Goldfinches build a cup like nest in the crotch of a tree or shrub. Goldfinches won't use closed in birdhouses, but you can still help them during nesting season. They mate and produce later in the season than most birds and almost seem to wait until some plants begin to go to seed producing the fine fibers they use for their nests. Wool is great for nests because it's warm even when wet. And cotton makes good nesting material and dries quickly. Offering wool and other natural plant fibers will encourage the birds to nest nearby. Soon they will be bringing their young to your feeders to enjoy your Nyjer and sunflower seeds. Flocks of goldfinches are a delight to watch in any backyard. Three species of goldfinches make their home in the U.S: The American Goldfinch, the brightest of the three, inhabits most parts of the U.S., generally moving to the northern states during the mating season and to the southern states during the colder winter months. The Lesser Goldfinch and the Lawrence's Goldfinch tend to inhabit the southwestern parts of the U.S. Goldfinches are sociable and will visit backyard feeders in flocks of 30 or more. Nyjer (thistle) seed is the preferred food of goldfinches. Provide nyjer in specially designed goldfinch feeders. Store your nyjer seed in a cool area or refrigerator to preserve it. Hang your goldfinch feeders at least 15 feet from other feeders and water sources. Hang it 4-5 feet in the air in a brushy area if possible. The wonderful thing about goldfinches is how acrobatic they are. In the wild, they often feed as they cling upside down to the heads of sunflowers, moving next to a weed stalk where they eat standing upright. It is easy to attract goldfinches to a bird feeder. Goldfinches prefer hanging tubular feeders with places to perch at each outlet. As long as your feeders are filled with black oil sunflower seed, sunflower chips or nyjer (thistle) seed, your goldfinches will be happy. Goldfinches will also come to window trays and bird tables, where they will eat sorghum, millet, canary seed, cracked nutmeats and sunflower seeds. Goldfinches, like all birds, are attracted to a water source. A heated bird bath will provide unfrozen water during the winter months and can be used all year long.

Goldfinch Feeder Our adjustable features a telescoping design that will extend up to 35 inches and can accomodate 18 birds on its colorful perches. The elongated feeder tube holds up to 1.33 quarts of thistle seed and is clear to keep the seed level visible at all times. The adjustable segments interlock in three lengths - 13½", 24" & 35". The bright yellow plastic caps can be removed for quick, convenient cleaning and filling. The base of the feeder is equipped with a drain sponge, which allows the feeder to drain keeping the thistle seed dry and fresh. Our Goldfinch Feeder will offer years of enjoyment for your backyard birds. This feeder can be hung with the included steel wire cable. Lifetime Guarantee. Birds that use this feeder: finches, goldfinches, grosbeaks, redpolls and siskins Seed or Feed Options: Nyjer® seed (Thistle seed) Capacity: 1.33 quarts, 18 ports Dimensions: 1¾" dia. tube x 35"H Mounting: Can be hung from the included steel wire cable Construction: Plastic Mfg Warranty: Lifetime Guarantee Click here to order the Goldfinch Feeder

Squirrel Proof Goldfinch Feeder Guaranteed Squirrel Proof Effective against Red and Gray Squirrels This Nyjer® seed Goldfinch feeder is guaranteed to be squirrel proof. Effective against Red & Gray Squirrels. Nyjer seed is far too expensive to let the squirrels eat it. Openings in the wire shroud align with seed ports and provide birds access to the seed. When a squirrel climbs onto the feeder, its weight automatically forces the shroud down, closing access to the seed ports. All squirrels and many large birds are foiled but not harmed in any way. Finches are very gregarious birds and love to either perch or cling when feeding. The 4 seed ports on the upper half of the Squirrel Buster Finch™ provide a surface area for clinging while the 4 seed ports on the lower half of the feeder provide 4 perches for perching. You will find a great amount of activity as the birds move from perching to clinging as they compete for a feeding position. •Built-to-Last Construction - made of rugged UV-filtered ABS and Polycarbonate resins and powder-coated aluminum components. Hangers, springs and fasteners are made from stainless steel. The Squirrel Buster Finch™ is designed with our planet in mind and based on Brome Bird Care's Lifetime Product™ design code. The future of new products, manufacturing and the preservation of our planet must be linked to a vision of products made to last. Disposable products are no longer an option. •Dishwasher Safe Design - easily cleans to maintain a safe and healthy feeder •Detachable Component System™ - components are designed to be assembled and dismantled easily by hand, without tools, and to fit into your dishwasher. •Seed Tube Ventilation System™ - Damp and decaying seed decreases bird traffic and can spread disease. Most transparent bird feeder seed tubes trap solar energy just like a greenhouse. The air in Squirrel Buster Finch™ rises and escapes through patented water-proof vents at the top of the feeder. The escaping, heated air is replaced by fresh air entering through the seed ports at the bottom of the tube. The birdseed remains fresh, attracting more birds. •Negative Grip Tube™ - The Negative Grip Tube™ is part of the patented Squirrel Buster Finch™ technology. It prevents squirrels from grabbing the wire hanger with their hind legs, hanging down alongside the feeder & defeating the closing mechanism. Seed Options: Nyjer® seed Capacity: 1.4 quarts/ 2.4 lbs Mounting: The Squirrel Buster Finch™ can be hung from a tree or hook Construction: UV-filtered ABS and Polycarbonate; powder-coated aluminum components; stainless steel hangers, springs and fasteners Mfg Warranty: 24 Month Factory Warranty Click here to order the Squirrel Proof Goldfinch Feeder

Upside-Down Goldfinch Feeder The Colibri Upside-Down Goldfinch Feeder offers goldfinches the opportunity to feed undisturbed by other finches and thistle-loving birds while enjoying the protection of the large 8½" diameter feeder roof. Goldfinches are invited to feed from any of the six upside-down thistle seed ports with individual perches. With reinforced feeding stations on every side of the feeder, you will surely see multiple goldfinches feeding at once. The clear plastic feeder tube holds 2 quarts and keeps the seed level visible at all times and an internal seed baffle design ensures that the feeder empties completely without leaving a dirty residue. Simply remove the feeder roof for quick, convenient cleaning and filling. This feeder will provide years of enjoyment for both you and your goldfinches. This feeder may be hung with the included 8½" cord hanger or pole mounted using any pole with a ¾" outside diameter (not included). Lifetime Guarantee for years of continued enjoyment. Birds that use the Colibri Upside-Down Goldfinch Feeder: With niger thistle seed - American Goldfinch, Lawrence's Goldfinch, Lesser Goldfinch Dimensions: 16¼" high x 3" diameter, 6 seed ports Capacity: 2 quarts Mounting: Colibri Upside-Down Goldfinch Feeder may be hung with the included 8½" cord hanger or pole mounted using any pole with a ¾" outside diameter (not included) Click here to order the Upside-Down Goldfinch Feeder

Small Nyjer® Seed Mesh Goldfinch Feeder The Aspects Small Nyjer Mesh Goldfinch Feeder features an excellent design that provides a feeding haven in your backyard birding sanctuary. The fine wire mesh cylinder is perfect for small clinging birds. Protective polycarbonate collars at the top and base keep the 1/10" wire mesh true to form and cover any sharp edges. The feeder cylinder holds ¾ quart of Nyjer seed and an internal baffle design directs seed to make it easily accessible to the birds. The mesh design and drainage holes in the feeder base keep the seed fresh and dry. The nickel colored metal cap slides up the included hanger for quick, convenient cleaning and filling. This feeder may be hung with the included 5" wire loop hanger or pole mounted using any pole with a standard ¾" threaded adaptor. Made in the USA. Lifetime Guarantee. Birds that use this feeder: With nyjer seed - Goldfinches, siskins, redpolls, Purple and House Finches Features: Durable finish for long-lasting beauty ¾ quart thistle seed capacity Seed baffle eliminates waste by allowing birds to access all seed Hang or post mount Lifetime Guarantee for years of continued enjoyment Dimensions: 9¾" high x 3" diameter Capacity: ¾ quarts Mounting: This Goldfinch Feeder can be hung from a tree or hook. It can also be pole mounted. Click here to order the Small Nyjer® Seed Mesh Goldfinch Feeder

Medium Nyjer® Seed Mesh Goldfinch Feeder The Aspects Medium Nyjer Mesh Finch Feeder features an excellent design that provides a feeding haven in your backyard birding sanctuary. The fine wire mesh cylinder is perfect for small clinging birds. Protective polycarbonate collars at the top and base keep the 1/10" wire mesh true to form and cover any sharp edges. The feeder cylinder holds 1 quart of nyjer seed and an internal baffle design directs seed to make it easily accessible to the birds. The mesh design and drainage holes in the feeder base keep the seed fresh and dry. The nickel colored metal cap slides up the included hanger for quick, convenient cleaning and filling. This feeder may be hung with the included 5" wire loop hanger or pole mounted using any pole with a standard ¾" threaded adaptor. Made in the USA. Lifetime Guarantee. Birds that use this feeder: With nyjer seed - Goldfinches, siskins, redpolls, Purple and House Finches Features: Durable finish for long-lasting beauty 1 quart thistle seed capacity Seed baffle eliminates waste by allowing birds to access all seed Hang or post mount Lifetime Guarantee for years of continued enjoyment Dimensions: 13¼" high x 3" diameter Capacity: 1 quart Mounting: This Goldfinch Feeder can be hung from a tree or hook. It can also be pole mounted. Click here to order the Medium Nyjer® Seed Mesh Goldfinch Feeder

Christmas Stocking Goldfinch Feeder Our Christmas Stocking Goldfinch Feeder draws Goldfinches galore! Fill embroidered stocking with Nyjer seed, a favorite seed for all finches including goldfinches & siskins. The Velcro closure at the top opens easily for filling and closes securely. Polyester mesh. Hanging loop is 3½ inches long, stocking is 17 inches long. Holds 2 lbs. of Nyjer seed. Makes a great holiday gift. Click here to order the Christmas Stocking Goldfinch Feeder

American Goldfinch The American Goldfinch is easily detected in the spring or summer as a flash of yellow, flying with an undulating motion and calling perchicoree, perchicoree. With its short, heavy, conical beak, the American Goldfinch is typical of North American seed-eating birds that are members of the finch (Fringillidae) family. The American Goldfinch breeds across southern Canada from British Columbia to Newfoundland and through most of the United States north of the Gulf States. It prefers trees in open places, especially in orchards and along roadsides. As winter approaches, the goldfinch moves short distances towards the south. Its winter range includes southern British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and most of the United States. Description The goldfinch averages 4¼ inches in length, much the same size as the English Sparrow. In spring the birds molt all but their black wing and tail feathers, and the bills of both sexes turn orange. The male assumes brilliant canary yellow plumage and a striking jet black cap. In flight, a white rump contrasts with the black tail. The summer female is olive yellow, with a bib of yellow on her neck and breast. After a complete molt in the fall, the birds grow plumage that is almost identical in color for both sexes. They are buff-colored below and olive brown above. Their wings are black with white wing bars and the black tail is etched with white. The face and neck are a pale yellow only a hint of the bright yellow of summer. The lesser coverts (the feathers covering the shoulders) of the male are yellow. During their first autumn and winter the juveniles are wood brown above with buffy, rather than white, wing markings and dull black shoulders, which distinguish them from the adults. A bird similar in appearance to the American Goldfinch, the Lesser Goldfinch, is occasionally seen in British Columbia. It is slightly smaller than the American Goldfinch. In summer the adult male is black or olive above, rather than yellow, and he retains the black cap all year. The female has an olive rump instead of a pale rump. Both species feed their young on regurgitated plant matter. Courtship and nesting behavior In the spring the start of courtship behavior is signalled by one or more males chasing a single female. The female flies in an elusive zigzagging manner, and the male at times breaks into a slow flat flight. During courtship, a pair will circle about, with the male warbling throughout the flight. Mating takes place in late summer, as does nest building. The male marks his domain by warbling and flitting from perch to perch around the perimeter of the territory. As well, he circles and performs two flight displays. One is a low flat flight. The other is an exaggerated version of his normal undulating flight in which he tucks his wings close to his body, plummets earthwards, and then spreads his wings to coast upward in a long series of loops. Two or three pairs group their territories together in a loose colony. This may aid in the sharing of information about food and in defence against predators. There is a greater density of nests where food and water are in abundant supply. Nest building The female builds the nest in late summer up to 30 feet off the ground in the terminal branches of a bush or tree. Nest building occurs in 10 to 40 minute spurts, during which material is brought to the site and laid down. There may be periods of hours or days when nothing is added. The average interval between the start of the nest and the laying of the first egg is eight days. The female strips fibers from dead trees, weeds, and vines and utilizes catkins as well as grass to construct the outer shell of the nest. She sometimes dismantles the nests of other birds to use the materials in her own nest. She reinforces the rim of the nest with bark bound by sticky spider silk and caterpillar webs. The nest is lined with plant down from thistles, milkweed, and cattails. The male often accompanies the female on flights for nesting materials. He may carry some materials back, but leaves the actual construction of the nest to the female. He perches nearby, singing and calling to his mate. At the first sign of danger the male or female will whistle sweet or call bearbee, bearbee, bee, bearbee. Breeding Why the American Goldfinch breeds so late in the year (July-September) has puzzled many scientists. The American Goldfinch is the only cardueline finch to acquire its breeding plumage by molt. In most finches, the feathers are gradually worn down through use, resulting in a changed appearance by the time the breeding season arrives. Because the prolonged molt is unusual in a bird of the temperate zone, it has been suggested that a lengthy molting period may be the only way a bird on a protein-poor seed diet can fulfill the energy demands of breeding. Thus, completion of molt rather than food availability may determine the timing of breeding, although the abundance of seeds in late summer may be important in ensuring larger supplies of food for the young than would be obtainable in May or June. The American Goldfinch lays four to six bluish white eggs, roughly the size of peanuts. While the female incubates the eggs she is fed by her mate. With his esophagus full of seed, the male flies over the nest, displaying and calling. The hungry female responds by calling teeteeteeteete softly and continuously. Sometimes the female leaves the nest to receive the seed. At other times, the male perches on the rim of the nest, takes his mate's bill in his, and feeds her as if she were a nestling. The young At hatching, the young are covered in fluffy grey down. Their eyes begin to open after three days. In the first week of life the nestlings are quiet, but by the second week they are active and noisily seek out the food brought at long intervals by their parents. A mass of undigested seed bound together by mucus is regurgitated by the adults into the mouths of the young. Initially, the adults remove faecal sacs deposited by the young, but later the young defecate over the rim of the nest, leaving a coating on the outer layer. The young birds grow rapidly; by the time they leave the nest 11-15 days after hatching they are covered with the beginning of the olive yellow juvenile plumage. Shortly before fledging they develop a fledging call that sounds like chick-kee or chick-wee. The first young clambers out of the nest to a nearby branch and tentatively tests its wings on short flights. The others soon follow. The female may begin construction of a new nest for a second brood. The male is responsible for feeding the young birds and finds his charges by listening for the fledging call. Within a month's time, the young are totally independent and no longer give this call. Food and feeding The American Goldfinch has a varied diet. Being principally a seed-eater, the bird has an abundant food supply for much of the year, including seeds of thistle, dandelion, ragweed, mullein, cosmos, goatsbeard, sunflower, and alder. Although some finches use their feet sparingly or not at all to help in feeding, the American Goldfinch uses its feet extensively. For example, it will fly to a cluster of seed capsules at the top of an evening primrose and cling to the stalks in such a way that it can delicately extract the seeds. In the spring the catkins hanging from birches and alders are pulled up with the beak and clamped down on the branch with the toes. Such dexterity with the foot and bill, combined with low body weight, enables the American Goldfinch to take advantage of food sources relatively inaccessible to some potential competitors. The birds will also eat insects, including plant lice and caterpillars, and will root out larvae from galls and fruits. Except during the nesting season, the American Goldfinch is a sociable bird that seeks its own kind to feed and fly with. In winter it mingles with its relatives - the redpolls and siskins - feeding in weedy fields and in orchards close to wooded areas. In its wintering range it is easy to attract the American Goldfinch to a bird feeder. It prefers hanging tubular feeders with places to perch at each outlet. These feeders can be filled with sunflower seeds or, better yet, the commercially available thistle, or Niger, seed imported from Africa. The birds will also come to window trays and bird tables, where they will eat sorghum, millet, canary seed, cracked nutmeats, and sunflower seeds. Before a storm the birds will feed in a frenzied manner at feeders and show a significant gain in weight before and during the storm. This behavior may increase the American Goldfinch's chance of survival under adverse conditions. American Goldfinch Range Map The American Goldfinch breeds from southern British Columbia and north-central Alberta east to central Ontario and southwestern Newfoundland, and south to California, southern Colorado, northeastern Texas, central Alabama, and South Carolina. It winters from southern British Columbia, the northern United States, southern Ontario, and Nova Scotia south to Mexico, the Gulf Coast, and southern Florida. The American Goldfinch frequents habitats with thistles or cattails, such as open weedy fields, farmyards, swamps, pastures with scattered trees, and forest edges. In the West, it inhabits riparian areas, especially those with willows present along streams, ditches, and ponds.

Lawrence's Goldfinch Lawrence's Goldfinches are late nesters, waiting until plants and weeds have grown, bloomed, and gone to seed so the soft fresh seeds can be fed to the young. Lawrence's Goldfinch nests late in May. It breeds erratically; one year many may be found in an area, the next, when the seed crop fails, few may be seen. After breeding, they feed in flocks on the abundant chamise chaparral. They appear even in the driest washes and slopes, as long as they have access to water. Lawrence's Goldfinch breeds in central and southern California, west of Sierra Nevada and south into Baja California. Winters south and east to extreme western Texas. This species of goldfinch prefers dry grassy slopes with weed patches, chaparral and open woodlands. Physical Description Male has black cap and face; pale pink bill; gray nape, cheek, and mantle; yellow breast, lower back, and rump; white undersides and belly. Female lacks black facial markings. Both sexes have dark wings and tail with bright yellow wing bars. In winter, the blacks and yellows are paler. Juveniles are streaked with buff or light brown on back. Lawrence's Goldfinch Range Map Lawrence's Goldfinch breeds from central California south to southern California, northwestern Baja California, and western Arizona. It winters from north-central California, central Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, and western Texas south to northern Baja California, southern Arizona, and northern Sonora. Lawrence's Goldfinch inhabits oak woodlands, chaparral, riparian woodlands, pinyon-juniper associations, and weedy areas in arid regions, usually near water.

Lesser Goldfinch Lesser Goldfinches feed on dandelion seeds and raise their young on soft unripe seeds. They adjust the time and place of their breeding to the presence of this staple food. Their Old World cousins, the Siskins, goldfinches, serins, and canaries, have been kept as cage birds for centuries, the males singing incessantly all year except during the molt period. Lesser Goldfinches range from Washington, Oregon, and northern Nevada east to northern Colorado and Texas, and south to beyond U.S.-Mexico border. Black-backed males are found from northern Colorado southward through Texas and westward to Utah and Arizona. Green-backed birds occur from Utah westward to Columbia River and southward into Mexico. The Lesser Goldfinch prefers oak savannas, woodlands and suburban gardens. Physical Description Two forms of males: black-backed, which occur in southern part of range, and green-backed in the western part; both have black crown, white markings on black wing and tail, with bright yellow underparts. Nonbreeding black-backed male turns greenish, but both races retain black cap. Female is similar to American Goldfinch but smaller, with dark rump. Immature is similar to female, but with greener underparts. Lesser Goldfinch Range Map The Lesser Goldfinch is a year-round resident from southwestern Washington, western Oregon, northern California, northern Utah, northern Colorado, northwestern Oklahoma, and central and southern Texas south to Baja California and South America. The Lesser Goldfinch generally inhabits scattered trees, woodland edge, second growth, open fields, pastures, and human habitation. It is often found in drier foothill regions, in the deserts, and up to 7,300 feet in elevation and usually near water.