By DJ Featherton
American Goldfinches are common across the entire United States. In fact, the Goldfinch has been selected as the State Bird for Washington, Iowa and New Jersey. Goldfinches gather in large and small flocks, and are seed-eaters only. This makes them easy to attract to most any backyard feeder throughout the year. Common and as plentiful as they are, Goldfinches always draw our attention. When Spring arrives the males quickly change from an olive-green to a bright-yellow that sharply contrasts with their black wing and black cap that covers their foreheads. Cool!
My backyard has lots of tree cover and is friendly for many of my favorite birds. My favored Droll Yankee Flipper tube-feeder is a success with all the birds and helps keep the squirrels away … and it gives us a few good laughs!. I also have some less expensive plastic tube-feeders that serve lots of birds! It keeps me entertained.
My favorite spot to perch, however, is on my patio overlooking the yard. Here, I make friends with my Adirondack yard chair, a small cooler, my well-loved Weber Grill, and the treats that my wife brings out to share. The birds at the active feeders are the center of attention, but a few days ago we had a special treat. Seems a large flock of Goldfinches all descended on the feeders at once. They were in the bushes and trees, and all over the feeders. The Goldfinches were everywhere. It was a fabulous spectacle of gold all flitting around our backyard. It was, indeed, a backyard gold rush!
Even without the male’s bright gold breeding plumage, the Goldfinch is an attractive and entertaining visitor to our feeders. They come in a bunch, and feed on the ground as well as at the feeders. Goldfinches are fast, active and downright acrobatic as they flit from spot to spot. Sometimes our feeder area seems in perpetual motion with busy Goldfinches. Some even hang upside down from where they’re feeding. Their sweet call can be heard even when in flight.
The American Goldfinch should not be taken for granted. Keep your eye on them all year. They are fascinating, entertaining and beautiful. And, don’t forget, when springtime comes, the olive-green plumage disappears and the gold comes out. The American Goldfinch is a backyard gold rush. Enjoy!
