5 Simple Strategies to Create an Idyllic Garden for American Goldfinches – And Keep Them Coming Back
Enjoy more of this sociable species' pretty plumage and cheerful chirruping in your yard
As we emerge from winter into spring, our gardens start to come alive with vibrant color. From bright bulbs and pretty blossom to early blooms, the joyful hues return. Yet it's not just florals that bring color, visiting birds do too.
It's hard to deny the heart-skipping sight of a flash of brilliant yellow from an American goldfinch (Spinus tristis) swooping by – coupled with a burst of its tuneful twittering. Although a common sight across much of central and eastern US states, northern populations migrate south for winter, and year-round residents shed their bright summer plumage, for basic brown, only for it to return in the breeding season. It's why that golden flash of feathers is such a treat to see.
Article continues below 
'The American Goldfinch is unique in that this species molt in the fall and the spring, undergoing feather transitions twice a year,' explains Becca Rodomsky-Bish, Project Leader, Garden for Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
'The molting can take several weeks and varies with individuals, but males and females both molt with the males having a brighter final yellow color offset by olive feathers, black caps and white wing bars.
'Females have a deep olive hue with hints of yellow around the head or neck and a darker bill. Many other songbirds only molt once a year.'
Here are five simple yet effective ways to attract these delightful birds into your yard.
1. Plant Their Favorite Forbs
Growing plants native to your region is the best way to create an idyllic garden for American goldfinches (and other birdlife). It will make gardening less laborious for you too, as native species are adapted to their location and require less watering or maintenance.
The particular plant types will vary across the regions and different terrains, but wherever you're located, choose those with seed heads for the food, or nesting materials these sunny songbirds will be searching for.
'American goldfinches love native flowering forbs, such as black-eyed Susan's, echinacea, milkweed, bee balm, asters, goldenrod and native thistles,' says Becca.
'All of these plants provide both food in the form of seeds, and several of them – milkweed and native thistles – provide fluffy plant material for nest building. Although, be mindful of planting only thistles that are native to your region.'
This common milkweed from Nature Hills is native to large swathes of the US, so check if it originates in your region. It will not only support the American Goldfinch, Monarch butterflies love it too.
'Allegheny Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis) is one of the earliest blooming native trees, and also an important food source for pollinators,' says Jen McGuinness, author, Bird-Friendly Gardening. 'After this tree blooms, it produces red fruit that is attractive to American Goldfinches.
'Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) will attract American Goldfinches once the flower heads turn to seed too. It is also one of the plants that is native to the entire continental US'
Becca Rodomsky-Bish is the project leader for the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) at Cornell Lab of Ornithology, which runs annually in February and unites birdwatchers from around the world. Becca's background is in environmental education, and the GBBC is a great way to engage birdwatchers at a variety of levels and experience.
Based in Connecticut, Jen McGuinness is a garden writer, photographer and author of Bird-Friendly Gardening from Cool Springs Press. She is also founder of the blog, FrauZinnia and champions organic and wildlife-friendly gardening. She holds a Home Horticulture Certificate from the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension and is a product tester for plant nurseries.
2. Leave Seed Heads On Flowers
It might be tempting to tidy your yard later in the year, when the blooms are going over. Yet, leaving self-seeding flowers in late summer is a sure ways to cultivate an American goldfinch haven.
These unique songbirds are late nesters – starting towards the end of June and sometimes nesting as late as August/September. A banquet of spent blooms rich in seeds will have these acrobatic avians flocking to your yard.
'As late nesters, American goldfinches will rely on seed resources to be optimal, as they are both molting and preparing to breed,' says Becca. 'They are known to have upwards of two broods of young in one growing season, during peak breeding time, and as they molt in the fall.'
Molting and nesting requires a lot of energy, so having ample seed heads will support these birds as they transition their feathers and raise young.
'They wait until native plants have developed seed heads, because unlike many other songbirds, they feed their young seeds in the nest rather than insects,' continues Becca. 'As true seed-eating purists, they wait until the seed menu is optimal in their nesting region.'
'Letting your garden go a bit wild into the fall so Goldfinches can feed on standing seed heads long after bloom season will attract and support them,' agrees Marlene Pantin, Plants for Birds Senior Program Manager at the National Audubon Society.
'Unraked leaves and seed-rich native flowers, like purple coneflower and black-eyed Susan, left standing past their prime can provide spaces for these birds to forage, feed, and find shelter.'
This black eyed Susan 'little goldstar' variety from Nature Hills is low-maintenance and does well in many parts of the US. It's hardy in zones 4-9 and will offer up a seed supper.
Marlene Pantin supports the Audubon network in advocacy, municipal engagement, and building strategic partnerships to advance the Plants for Birds program and create bird-friendly communities across the country. When she is not working she can also be found volunteering and managing community and corporate volunteers in protecting and preserving local parks and open spaces.
3. Include Shrubs And Trees For Shelter
Like other small songbirds, American goldfinches seek shelter in native plants and trees to rest, nest and hide from predators. Growing their favorite foliage, such as dogwoods, hawthorns and serviceberry trees, in strategic spots in your yard can help to facilitate this.
'Native shrubs planted on the edge of forest or field habitat are some of the favored sites for nesting for the American Goldfinch,' says Becca. 'They generally don't nest deep in the forest amongst shrubbery, but love shrubs situated near open places.'
American goldfinches are open cup nesters so they won't use a bird box, however, they will nest in small saplings in the upright forks where branches join. The females can even build the nests tight enough to hold water.
'Goldfinches will often nest in deciduous shrubs or trees,' says Marlene. 'And sometimes in conifers or in dense weeds too, usually less than 30 ft above the ground. Growing native plants and trees will provide both food and shelter for them.'
This white flowering dogwood from Nature Hills is native to the eastern U.S. and is hardy in zones 5-9. It can provide shelter and nesting sites for American goldfinches and other small songbirds.
4. Hang A Seed-Filled Bird Feeder
Anyone who delights in feeding the birds in their yard will have noticed that different species eat different food. As outlined above, American goldfinches feed primarily on seeds.
Having seeds available in your garden from hanging bird feeders - as well as from flowers throughout the growing season, will ensure a steady supply of sustenance for these charming warblers.
'American Goldfinches enjoy black oil sunflower seed (shell on or off) and nyjer seeds at a variety of feeders; hopper, platform, and hanging feeders,' says Becca.
'However, they are a species that will readily eat the seeds of native garden plants such as black-eyed Susan, echinacea, milkweed, bee balm, asters, goldenrod, native thistles etc. So, they are an easy species to create habitat for at home.'
Some bird feed is filled with cheap filler that is not part of their natural diet, however, this bird food from Ace Hardware is 100% Nyjer seed, which finches and other small songbirds love.
Add Nyjer seed to this bird feeder from Ace Hardware, which can be adjusted so it serves sunflower seed too.
Of course, keeping your bird feeder clean is imperative to prevent the spread of disease.
5. Install A Shallow Bird Bath
As with all birds, water is essential for American goldfinches – and with their diet high in dry seeds – this sociable species will be drawn to a bird bath to drink and bathe. Ensure the water is shallow and fresh, with rocks as perches, and you can expect to see them sipping water and splashing around.
'Water availability is, of course, always critical when supporting birds, such as American goldfinches at home,' says Becca.
'When properly placed and maintained, both feeders and birdbaths can support and attract American goldfinches and other songbirds, throughout the year,' agrees Marlene.
Shallow pools like this bird bath from Ace Hardware are best for small birds. This lightweight model has two ground stakes to keep it in place.
These charming songbirds love moving water too, which stays fresher for longer, so this fountain from Ace Hardware will provide a garden feature and an avian watering hole. Whichever type of bird bath or water feature you choose, ensure it is kept clean and free from algae build-up.
Creating an idyllic garden for American goldfinches is straight-forward. Along with the simple steps outlined above, ornithology experts recommend avoiding pesticides by using natural pest control methods, keeping cats indoors and reducing the risk of window collisions with decals, bird tape, screens or partially open shutters in order to distort window reflections (so birds don't think they're flying toward trees).
Start these steps now and you can look forward to a garden filled with goldfinches this season and in those to come.
Love inspiring garden ideas, outdoor advice, and the latest news? Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox.
