A favotite backyard songbird, Goldfinches are admired for their vibrant yellow color, enchanting song and graceful flight.  People call this bird the “wild canary”, but in fact, goldfinches are not gold all year long.  As the nesting season winds down, their fall colors appear by molting. They shed older feathers for new ones.  It is the males’ appearance which changes drastically to a dull brown, and he loses his stunning black cap.  The females molt as well, but their appearance doesn’t change much.  Goldfinches wearing drab winter plumage flock to thistle feeders in winter.  By keeping thistle feeders out all year long, you’ll enjoy their vibrant sunny colors in warmer months.

Unlike other wild birds who frequent bird feeders, Goldfinches eat thistle, also called nyjer seed, almost exclusively.  Even tiny babies in the nest are fed partially digested thistle seed.  Perched at and around thistle feeders, Goldfinches eat seed afer seed, which gives a wonderful opportunity to view them at length.  The Rainbow Finch Feeder has 18 perches, and once Goldfinches find this, can empty 2.5 quarts of seed in two or three days.  The Finches Favorite 3-Tube Feeder has 24 perches which allow you to view all birds at once.