When to Put Out Goldfinch Feeders
The best time to put out goldfinch feeders is in the spring, when the birds are migrating north. They will appreciate the extra food as they stop in your yard to rest and refuel for their journey. You can leave the feeders up all summer long, but be sure to keep them clean and filled with fresh seed to attract these beautiful little finches.
As the weather starts to cool down and the leaves begin to change color, it’s time to start thinking about putting out goldfinch feeders. Goldfinches are one of the few birds that continue to eat during the winter, so they’re a great bird to attract to your yard during this season.
There are a few things to keep in mind when putting out goldfinch feeders.
First, make sure you put them out early enough in the season. Goldfinches typically start migrating south in late October or early November, so you’ll want to have your feeders up and ready before then. Second, choose a good location for your feeders.
Goldfinches like open areas where they can see predators coming from a distance. Third, use nyjer seed as your main food source. This type of seed is small and easy for goldfinches to eat, plus they love the taste!
By following these tips, you’re sure to attract some beautiful goldfinches to your yard this winter!
How To Attract More Goldfinches To Your Feeders.
Why Aren’T Finches Coming to My Feeder
If you’re wondering why finches aren’t coming to your feeder, there could be a few reasons. Maybe your feeder is in a location that isn’t ideal for attracting finches. Or, the type of food you’re offering might not be appealing to them.
Here are a few things to consider if you want to attract finches to your backyard:
Location, Location, Location
Finches are attracted to open areas where they can easily spot predators.
If your feeder is in a secluded spot or near dense trees and shrubs, it’s likely that the finches aren’t finding it. Try moving your feeder to a more open area of your yard.
The Right Food
Different types of birds prefer different types of food. Finches love small seeds, so make sure you’re using a Finch Feeder Mix or something similar. You can also try adding Nyjer seed or thistle seed to your feeder – these are especially attractive to finches.
Avoid using mixes that contain large seeds, as these won’t be as appealing to finches (and will likely just go to waste).
How Long Does It Take for Goldfinches to Find a Feeder?
If you’re hoping to attract goldfinches to your yard, one of the best ways to do so is by putting out a feeder. But how long does it typically take for goldfinches to find a new feeder?
Interestingly, research has shown that it can vary quite a bit.
In one study, some goldfinches found a new feeder within just minutes, while others took several days or even weeks. So there’s no guarantee that goldfinches will find your feeder right away.
One thing that may help is if you put the feeder in an open area where it’s easy for the birds to spot.
You might also try hanging a wind chime or other type of bird-attracting item near the feeder to help draw attention to it.
Why are Goldfinches Not Coming to My Feeder?
One of the most common questions we get here at The Bird House is, “Why aren’t goldfinches coming to my feeder?” There are a few reasons this might be happening:
1. Location, location, location – Goldfinches are very shy birds and they like to feel safe when they’re eating.
If your feeder is in an open area where there are no trees or shrubs nearby for them to hide in if they feel scared, they probably won’t visit. Make sure your feeder is near some dense vegetation so the finches feel like they have a place to escape to if needed.
2. Not enough nyjer seed – Goldfinches love nyjer seed, but if you only have a little bit in your feeder, they may not bother coming since they can find plenty of other food sources that offer more seed.
Try filling your feeder up completely with nyjer and see if that brings them in!
3. You have squirrels – Unfortunately, squirrels love birdseed just as much as birds do (if not more). If you’ve got pesky critters raiding your feeders all the time, the goldfinches will likely stay away since they don’t want to compete for food.
The best way to deter squirrels is by using a squirrel-proof birdfeeder that has weight-activated perches that close off the access hole when a heavy animal lands on it.
We hope these tips help you attract goldfinches to your yard – good luck!
Where Do You Hang a Goldfinch Feeder?
Goldfinches are one of the most beautiful and entertaining backyard birds. They are also quite finicky, so it’s important to know how to attract them to your yard and keep them coming back. One of the best ways to do this is by hanging a goldfinch feeder.
The first step is to find the perfect location for your feeder. Goldfinches prefer open spaces where they can see their surroundings. They also like areas with some cover, such as trees or shrubs, in case they need to take refuge from predators.
Once you’ve found the perfect spot, simply hang your feeder from a tree branch or shepherd’s hook using a string or wire.
Next, you’ll need to fill your feeder with the right food. Goldfinches love thistle seed, so be sure to use a quality thistle seed mix that is fresh and free of debris.
You can also add nyjer seed or sunflower chips to your feeder if you’d like, but thistle seed is really all that these little birds need.
Once your feeder is full and in place, sit back and enjoy watching the goldfinches flock to your yard!
What Time of Year Do Goldfinches Appear?
Goldfinches are one of the few North American birds that remain in their breeding plumage year-round. In other words, they don’t molt into a drab, winter coat. This makes them easy to spot in even the dreariest months.
However, there are still subtle changes in their appearance throughout the year.
During the summer months, goldfinches sport bright yellow feathers with black wings and tail. They also have a small black cap on their head.
Females and young birds tend to be a little duller in color than males.
In fall and winter, you might notice that the goldfinches’ yellow feathers start to look a little more olive-colored. And while their black wings and tail remain unchanged, their head caps may fade to brown or gray.
These seasonal changes help goldfinches blend in better with their surroundings as they search for food in colder weather.
No matter what time of year it is, though, you’re sure to enjoy seeing these cheerful little birds at your bird feeder!
Conclusion
Goldfinches are one of the most beautiful birds in North America, and they’re also one of the easiest to attract to your backyard! The best time to put out goldfinch feeders is in the spring, when they’re migrating north. They’ll also visit in the summer and fall, but their numbers will be lower.
Be sure to keep your feeders clean and filled with fresh nyjer seed, and you’ll soon be enjoying these pretty little birds!