We are seeing some American Goldfinches at our bird feeders. They have their winter plumage, which is not as bright as in the summer. In the summer the males are quite bright yellow, but in the winter they are similar in colour to the females.
Goldfinches eat seeds from weeds, shrubs, trees, and especially like seeds of the daisy family. They eat some insects in the summer time. They appear to enjoy the seeds at the feeders, and especially the smaller seeds.
Goldfinches do migrate, but appear to be in our area most of the year or even year-round. They breed later in the year than other birds, and often don’t have their families until sometime between July and September.
If you see your goldfinches coming to the feeders and eating in “a frenzy”, there is probably a storm coming. They are trying to gain weight to help them through the storm.
