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Goldfinches
This article was run as a part of Jan's wild bird column in the St. Cloud times, July 2008.
One of my favorite sights is a yard full of dandelions.
Yes, dandelions; but only when flocks of American goldfinches forage among the flowers, searching for those plants that have gone to seed. The goldfinches' color perfectly matches the dandelions, and the presence of a couple dozen birds among blooms puts a different perspective on that pesky plant.
Some call this bird the "potato chip" bird because that is what it's most familiar call sounds like. The call is given during its undulating flight. It is used to stay in contact with other finches. Other calls are for courtship, threats, danger and feeding.
Most juvenile birds undergo a critical song-learning phase. Goldfinches, however, retain their song-learning abilities as adults. A mated pair will have almost identical flight call patterns, which suggests that the calls are used to identify each other.
Goldfinches are found throughout Minnesota. Most will leave the northern half of the state for the southern half in the winter, congregating where humans are feeding them. You may not recognize them in the winter, as they molt into a drab, olive-green plumage. What many people think is a huge flock of sparrows at their feeder is actually a flock of goldfinches in their winter dress.
They frequently travel with pine siskins, which are close relatives, and tree sparrows in the winter. Traveling in larger groups has the advantage of more eyes to watch for predators and food, and less chance of an individual bird being singled out by a predator.
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Nesting, mating
Goldfinches are one of the last types of birds to nest in summer. Goldfinches feed their young seeds. Most birds rely on photoperiodism, or length of daylight, to determine when to nest. Goldfinches watch for the flowering of thistles, their favorite food. Once thistles are in bloom in late July, their brain sends a signal to begin nest building, ensuring an abundant food supply when the babies hatch.
During courtship, males engage in a beautiful "butterfly dance" in the nesting area. One male starts slowly flapping his wings and moves in a pattern similar to butterfly flight. As he begins to gain altitude, he is joined by one or more other males. This pattern continues for a few minutes and ends with all of them flying off in their typical undulating flight.
Males will then pursue a female, who flies in an evasive pattern. After a close inspection of their flight fitness and intensity of bill color and plumage, a female will choose a mate. The male will sing to the female as they fly in circles.
Nests are built in a shrubby area. They prefer to nest in deciduous shrubs but will also use herbaceous plants, and spruces or pines. Goldfinches are not very territorial, and although they will defend their nest when another comes close, they frequently nest in loose colonies.
Care, feeding
The female lays four to six bluish-white eggs, about the size of a peanut. She incubates the eggs while the male brings her food. The eggs hatch after 12 to 14 days, and the babies fledge after 11 to 15 days. The male then takes over feeding duties, while the female frequently goes off to mate with another male.
Goldfinches are fond of nyjer seed. The best nyjer comes from Singapore and is a rich black color with no dust. It has a relatively short shelf life. Buy only what you can use in a couple of months.
Hulled sunflower seeds also work well. This can be presented in a tube, hopper or platform feeder. Avoid mixes consisting of hard, small seeds such as red millet, canary seed or rape seed. The birds do not care for them.
Be sure to keep your feeders clean, as disease is more common in winter. It is amazing to see the sheer numbers that will show up. It is common to see 50 or 75 birds at feeders offering their favorite foods.
Janice Bergstrom is an avid bird watcher with a background in conservation and outdoor education. She lives in South Haven. Her column appears the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.
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