The Ins and Outs (and Occasionally

Upside-downs)of This Amazing, Eye-catching Bird

Those GrandGoldfinches

• Goldfinches are found across North America

• There are three kinds:American

Lesser

Lawrence’s

Basic Goldfinch Facts

• The genus name, Caruelis, is from the Latin word carduus, which means “thistle”

• Goldfinches are very dependent on thistles for food, and they use thistledown to line their nests

Basic Goldfinch Facts

• Goldfinches are occasionally referred to as “wild canaries,” but they are actually in the finch family as their name suggests

• American Goldfinches have an interesting flight call that sounds like “po-ta-to-chip”

Basic Goldfinch Facts

• Northern populations of American Goldfinches are mostly migratory; southern populations are mostly residential

• Banding studies have revealed that some American Goldfinches in Ontario migrate more than a 1,000 miles to Louisiana

More Goldfinch Facts

• Female American Goldfinches will stay further south during the winter than males

• Younger males will winter further north than adult males

More Goldfinch Facts

• American Goldfinches rarely over-winter in northern areas where temperatures fall below 0°F for extended periods

More Goldfinch Facts

• Residential flocks roam widely between food supplies during the winter and have been recorded moving over 4 miles between multiple feeding stations in a single day

• Other records show movements of over 30 miles in a single winter

More Goldfinch Facts

• The American Goldfinch is one of the latest breeding songbirds, waiting to nest until mid-to-late summer when thistle seeds and down are readily available

Nesting Behavior

• When breeding for the first time, young American Goldfinches will begin nesting at least two weeks later than experienced adults

Nesting Behavior

• Unlike many birds, American Goldfinches undergo a complete molt each spring

• This requires a large amount of nutrients and energy which probably diminishes their ability to nest earlier in the season

NestingBehavior

• American Goldfinches typically have only one brood per year, although veteran females may produce an additional brood by leaving her original mate to care for the first brood while she finds a new male for the second nesting

Nesting Behavior

• Female American Goldfinches choose the nest site, build the nest and incubate the eggs all on their own

• Male feed the female on the nest throughout incubation and takes on an ever increasing role in feeding the nestlings as they grow

Nesting Behavior

• American Goldfinches can weave their nests so tightly that they will temporarily hold water

• American Goldfinch attach their nest to supporting twigs with spider web

Nesting Behavior

• Young American Goldfinches are dependent on their parents for weeks after fledging

• Females are dominant over males in the summer and appear to be subservient to them in the winter

Backyard Behavior

• During winter and at feeders, American Goldfinches are dominated by Pine Siskins and House Finches

Backyard Behavior

• Goldfinches are common feeder visitors and prefer Nyjer® (thistle) and sunflower seeds

• Due to their diet of seeds, Lesser Goldfinches drink frequently and will stay close to water during dry periods

Food Facts

• American Goldfinches will use almost any feeder, including ones that require them to hang upside down to eat

• They prefer to sit upright at perches on feeders that are hung in trees above head height

Feeding Facts

• During their fall feather molting, American Goldfinches grow a new set of feathers that are much denser than their summer plumage

• These soft feathers provide an additional layer of insulation to help keep them warm throughout the winter.

Preparing for Winter

• To stay warm on a cold winter night, American Goldfinches have been known to burrow under the snow to form a cozy sleeping cavity

• They will also roost together in coniferous trees.

Preparing for Winter

For more information about the goldfinches, visit our online field guide:

www.rightbird.com

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