Goldfinches and Sunflowers

An American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis), perches on a Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

Our sunflowers are in full stride, so it’s no surprise that they have been discovered by the American Goldfinches who love to eat their tasty seeds. When I’m in the garden, I know they’re nearby because I hear their soft, whistly, “sweeeeee” and I hustle off to hide behind our giant Buddleia so I can watch them up close.

American Goldfinches are a common sight in this region, and what a sight they are. In summer, the male plumage is a vibrant yellow, and even though the female is more of a drab, olive-yellow, she is still quite lovely (this is a female seen in these pictures). They often travel in groups and swoop down on the seed-producing plants in our garden such as the Echinacea and Helianthus divaricatus. I like to leave the seeds on my plants over-winter so they can munch on them during the colder months.

If you wish to attract goldfinches to your garden, and chickadees, too, for that matter, plant a row of sunflowers and they’ll be by to visit; they simply can’t resist them. (It also wouldn’t hurt to invest in a year-round birdbath, too.) In the past, I placed a thistle-feeder out for them, and I was inundated with flocks of goldfinches, and I mean inundated. They were a sight to see, but I was filling the feeder literally every day, and thistle, or niger, seed is very expensive. Now I just plant annuals and perennials that I know they like to eat so I don’t have to take out a small personal loan to buy birdseed. 😉