New Age Dream Chick

The next bird of West Virginia’s over 350 species is the American Goldfinch. These birds can be found feasting on sunflower and nyjer at yard feeders. They build their nests in shrubbery and can be attracted by planting thistle or milkweed. Here are some facts about the American Goldfinch.

Identification

Males change colors as they molt- between bright yellow (when they are in mating season) and a dull, light yellow (when they aren’t). Year round females are a much more muted shade of yellow.

Coloring

Males

During the spring and early summer, while they are looking for a mate and breeding, they are bright yellow with a black forehead, wings with white markings and white patches above and below the tail feathers

In the winter, they become much duller in color and regrow brown and pale yellow feathers

Females

They have a lighter yellow under their belly and are kind of an olive above

To attract Goldfinch

The feeder type doesn’t matter. They like all types of feeders. When it comes to what types of seeds or foods they want, they prefer sunflower seeds and nyjer. If you want to help keep them safe, keep the area below and around the feeder cleaned up as well becasue they will also get down on the ground to eat the seeds that come out of the feeder.

To attract these birds to your yard, growing thistle or milkweed helps. The place these birds prefer staying away from are thicker forests, so as long as your yard is open with plants they like, you may get to see them.

Average Size

Both Sexes
Length: 4.3-5.1 in
Weight: 0.4-0.7 oz
Wingspan: 7.5-8.7 in

Other Facts

Molt their feathers twice a year- and each time their feathers grow back slightly different- one way during mating season and one way in the winter

Migrate further south and tend to avoid places that get very cold (below 0 degrees F)

Male and female find nesting site together and female builds the nest primarily out of plant material