Habitat

Goldfinches are found in most habitats across North America. Adapted to feeding in both wooded areas and in open prairies, they will readily come to feeders in backyards with trees, but are one of the few species which is also very easy to attract in areas with very few trees, like young subdivisions or isolated farmhouses. To attract goldfinches to your yard, we recommend offering the right food and designated finch feeders or a designated finch-feeding station.

Recommended Food

We recommend offering fresh Nyjer® (thistle) because it is one of goldfinches’ favorite feeder foods. Nyjer has a high oil content and is an excellent energy source for these active birds. Our finch mix, a combination or Nyjer and fine no-shell sunflower chips also works very well, but as squirrels find it tastier than Nyjer alone, it is best used in squirrel resistant feeders. Finch foods do tend to spoil faster than some seeds, so purchase no more than you can use in 6-8 weeks, and store in at comfortable room temperature (not is hot garage.) Unlike many discount stores, Wild Birds Unlimited gets it's seed fresh each week, so you know the seed hasn't been sitting around in a hot warehouse!

Recommended Items

1. WBU Quick-Clean™ Finch Feeders accommodate goldfinches’ small bills and allow them to easily dine on Nyjer. These feeders’ removable bases make cleaning a breeze. They are easy to fill and hang, deter squirrels and come with a lifetime guarantee.

2. Simply add our Weather Guard dome to your finch feeder to help keep seed dry and protect birds from inclement weather.

3. Because they locate food by sight, provide goldfinches with their own feeding station in an open, easy-to-find area. An open location also allows the finches to easily watch for approaching predators, which would be more difficult in a leafy tree.

Create a goldfinch feeding station with our exclusive Advanced Pole System® (APS) Basic Setup Hanging Hardware. It’s easy to construct and maintain. Just plant it into the ground, add the extension poles and arms, and top it with the decorative finial. Then fill and hang your feeders.

4. Keep your Nyjer fresh and mold-free by tossing out old seed after 2-3 weeks. The fastest way too lose your goldfinches is to have them show up at a "bad restaurant" of stale or moldy seed.

5. Hang a WBU nesting material ball from a hook or tree limb. These balls are made of soft, unprocessed cotton fibers with which finches will line their nest. (Never provide dryer lint as nesting material as the overprossed fibers and laundry residues cause the lint to get sticky and dangerous when damp.)

Nyjer® (thistle)

Wild Birds Unlimited

Nesting Material Ball™