The American Goldfinch

It is this time of year, when the cold weather of January and February have nipped their natural food, that we see American Goldfinch numbers increasing at our feeders.

Flocks of these tiny finches can suddenly show up in our backyard with small spots of bright yellow beginning to appear in their drab winter feathers. This premonition that spring is around the corner gives us a small glimpse of the brilliant yellow color the goldfinches will turn into on their breeding grounds.

Description: Small, drab olive or grayish brown finch with white belly; short, conical bill with white bars on long wings, notched tail. Also known as the wild canary.

When: Common winter visitor, usually from November through April. Form large flocks with distinguished bouncy, undulating flight pattern. Can be found with House or Purple Finches

Where: Weedy fields and floodplains, cultivated areas and backyards; usual visitor to bird feeders, especially during the winter months.  

Breeding: During breeding season male goldfinches become bright canary yellow with black forehead, cap and wings; this coloring lasts throughout the summer. Breed in southern Canada and northern US. Finches are monogamous.

Feeding: Goldfinches are primarily seed-eaters, feeding on sunflower seeds and Nijer (thistle). Often seen hanging upside down eating the seeds of sweetgums.

Interesting facts: Goldfinches breed later than most birds—in June or July when milkweed and thistle seeds become available. Only the female goldfinch participates in nest building while the male accompanies her to collect nesting material. She lines the nest with thistle down and weaves it very tightly. It is possible for goldfinch nestlings to drown after a rainstorm if the parents do not cover the nest.

At this time of year when folks are hanging out thistle socks and adding extra sunflower seeds to feeders to attract hordes of hungry goldfinches, it is a good idea to make sure that you are providing a backyard that is both safe and clean.

Goldfinches often form flocks with House Finches, a common year round resident. Occasionally, Purple Finches, an erratic winter visitor to Louisiana, are found in the flock. All of these finches are susceptible to eye diseases (mycoplasmal conjunctivitis) and avian pox. Birds infected with conjunctivitis have red, swollen, runny or crusty eyes. In advanced cases the eyes may be swollen or shut, causing the bird to be blind. While some birds recover, many die from the inability to feed or protect themselves.

Goldfinches can also get avian pox transmitted by mosquitos. It is highly contagious to other birds and spreads by contact. Pox comes in two forms: the more common form causes wart-like growths to appear on the featherless areas of the body---the bill, the legs and feet. The less common form, and the more debilitating type causes plaques in the mouth, throat and lungs, thus making breathing and feeding difficult.

Neither of these avian diseases are contagious to people. However proper feeder care can prevent both diseases from being spread. Eliminate any standing water in the yard to eradicate the mosquitoes which transmit the virus. If you see ill birds at the feeder, take down your feeders for at least a week. The feeders should be washed in soapy water and then soaked in a 10% bleach solution. This applies to birdbaths and cages as well. Be sure to let the feeder dry completely before adding more seed.

Birds can become ill from moldy seeds and seed hulls left on feeders or those that have accumulated on the ground from feeder spillover. Leftover bird food on the ground can attract rodents as well. Rake or remove hull debris every week and rotate where feeders are placed to eliminate waste build up.

Scattering seeds on the ground or spillover can attract birds like the Goldfinches and House Finches. It also makes them vulnerable to cat predation if feral or neighboring cats are in the vicinity. Keep seed feeders high.

Happy birding!

Contributer Harriett Pooler has been an avid bird watcher for the past seventeen years, and is a member of the LA Ornithological Society. Contact her at Harriett.pooler@gmail.com.