No, he’s not particularly gold — but this is winter, and if he’s going to get his breeding plumage, it will come in a couple of weeks.
We’ve had Niger thistle seed feeders out for years; this year one goldfinch (Spinus tristis) finally started to visit. We’ve had as many as four at a time — but they’re probably headed north soon.
Here’s a shot of our first guest, from a couple of weeks ago.
A goldfinch male, checking out the feeder before bringing in his buddies — we hope.
If you’re north of Dallas, and you see this guy at your feeder this summer, tell him “hello” from us.
The non-breeding plumage isn’t so flashy as the bright yellow of the breeding males. Some of the finches settle in to a beautiful, smooth olive-drab livery for much of the winter. Close up, they look like good pen-ink-drawings by a master artist.
More:
- FOR THE BIRDS: Signs of Spring (courierpress.com)
- Looking for the Details (kestrelsmusings.wordpress.com)
- American Goldfinch – the Vegetarian (mentalhealthed.com)
- Goldfinches eating well (mysanantonio.com)
- For National Bird Feeding Month in February, Just Feed Birds and Make a World of Difference (prweb.com)
- The Arctic Tern, American Goldfinch, and Me (becomingnotbecame.org)
- So How Beneficial is Feeding Backyard Birds? (gardenwalkgardentalk.com)
Millard Fillmore's Bathtub 
To those that have hawks visit… I too share the same problem and have photographed them in the yard extensively. I have been posting them on my website too. I would be devastated if one took a goldfinch. They are so darn cute. I love your little visitor above. Thanks for linking to GWGT. I appreciate that kind gesture.
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We’ve been visited by hawks on a few occasions, but they’ve never parked. About two weeks ago the gaggle of more than a score of white-winged doves who push out the little songbirds, got panicked and flew off in all different directions — three of them hitting the kitchen window and leaving wing prints. Then a very large bird swooped down, missed lunch, and spent a few minutes in the tree nearest the main feeders.
For a few days the song-birds weren’t bothered as much by the doves at the feeders.
They’re back, now.
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had many of hundreds of small birds including goldfinches once. Cost about £200 a year in feed.
Then a year ago a sparrowhawk noticed the plump little birdies and decided to stake out our residence.
It is a pretty bird and makes an interesting, but quick, spectacle as it dives in for the blue tits on the feeder.
Result a few tens of small birds (and getting fewer by the week!). Should save money next year I suppose.
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