Although American Goldfinches are a rather common songbird, it’s a favorite of many backyard birders. With a nickname of “yellow canary” the summer plumage of male Goldfinches is almost electric! Keeping thistle feeders out year-round will almost ensure that vibrant yellow color will grace your yard in warmer months.

Habitat plays an important role in attracting any wildlife, and sometimes doing less work is better than doing more. Dandelions happen to be a favorite of goldfinches’, as are spent marigolds, cosmos, zinnias and coneflowers. Don’t dead-head these flowers, better off to leave them as treats for birds to feast.

Water is another key element in attracting finches or any wildlife for that matter. Fresh water in a birdbath will always provide an excellent resource for my species of birds. Keep a fresh water source near thistle feeders to further entice Goldfinches to your place.

Because their nesting and breeding starts so late in the season, you can expect a great increase of activity at thistle feeders in July and August. Parents feed chicks thistle exclusively, so feeders can get rather crowded. And because of their sweet nature, a Goldfinch is more likely to fly away from a crowded thistle feeder than to fight for a perch. If you’d like to attract these super-sweet songbirds, you may want to consider adding an extra thistle feeder in your yard this season.