Crowds at Your Thistle Feeder?

Feeding Goldfinches through winter definitely has it’s advantages. These vibrant, sweet  songbirds will  grace your yard with amazing beauty and song during warmer months. Folks have nicknamed the American Goldfinch the “wild canary” due to their dazzling, lemon color. Sadly though, they they don’t remain this color all year because of molting, the process that replaces worn and tattered feathers with fresh new ones. Despite their drab winter plumage…they’re the same sweet birds that will flock to a thistle feeder all winter long.

One of the best ways to keep goldfinches around is to eliminate their need to compete. Most times, they’ll give up on over-crowded feeders. An easy, and economical way to do this is by adding thistle sacks, small to medium nylon mesh stockings, meant for feeding thistle, or nyjer seed. The entire surface lets birds feast on the seed.

Around your garden…don’t dead-head Marigolds, Zinnias, Coneflowers, or Cosmos, Goldfinches feast on these as well.  Nesting material and birdbaths will always help entice most feathered friends to your yard too!