AMERICAN GOLDFINCH | The Late Breeder 

A gorgeous male goldfinch visited my feeder this afternoon.

When I was a kid we had nesting goldfinches in our trees every year.

I live in New Jersey. I can say that the goldfinches have definitely turned a bright yellow now

We call them flying highlighters! Love seeing these guys show up in the spring.

I've always been amazed that these tiny birds are amongst the loudest vocal birds in my neighbourhood. They are a joy to watch and so vibrant yellow. They are acrobats in the way they cling to a plant, sometimes upside down, and peck away at the seeds in late summer and fall. I'm so glad I have these in my area.

They also LOVE purple coneflowers (echinacea). If you want to see goldfinches in late summer or early fall, plant coneflowers somewhere sunny.

Wow, 11 years, thats pretty darn good run for a little bird. My best day ever at the bird feeder involved one of these birds, I had the goldfinch, a cardinal and an indigo bunting all at the same moment. Never got a photo, of course, but that was a little slice of magic,- the Primary Colors of the Wisconsin bird world all eating sunflower seeds at the same time. Made my day.

I live in southern Maine, and have lots of "volunteer" sunflower plants growing outside my kitchen window. I didn't plant them. They grew from seeds that fell from the bird feeder last winter and germinated in the spring. As the flowers open and the seeds ripen, the spot has been very busy with Goldfinches, both male and female. I never tire of watching them and hearing their delightful little calls.

I live in the Deep South. We’ve had Goldfinches for a good while. We are big backyard bird feeders. We have a lot of Goldfinches. The males are in full yellow color. 👍🏻👏🏻

My favorite songbird 💛

Saturday just became better with a LesleytheBirdNerd upload

My donation was always my dog's fur after a good brushing. All my critters love it.

We placed a bright red ribbon on the bottom of our fuzz ball. Hummingbirds are attracted to the nesting material as well as a variety of other birds including finches..

Our feeder had 4 males and a female on it at the same time this afternoon. We also plant sunflowers in the garden every year and they feed on the sunflowers heavily. We sure enjoy them.

This is one bird I've had a lot of time and experiences to study. It makes a lot of sense that they would breed at a time of year where their energy is the highest and the foods they eat are the most abundant, to give them the best chance to feed their young as well as themselves. Ensures survival. Their spring yellow is so bright and vibrant. They always give me that tristis call you discussed when I step out to put some seed into the feeder or if am too close to the place they wish to fly to. Almost as if to tell me "Please excuse me human, I wish to use this spot and you are too close."

We put out a “puff ball” of nesting material each summer. Some days when the female leaves the puff ball, we’re amazed that she can fly with so much material in her beak. The male generally stands watch close by while she gathers nesting material but some days, she does it all on her own. They really are lovely birds! I really enjoy your content! Keep up the awesome work!

Last year our goldfinches loved the cotton nesting material we provided them close to their feeders. One of them was so excited that he would get a huge mouth full but then become confused when he flew next to the thistle feeder. Fluff got dropped in favor of food!

They also love zinnias and cone flowers, and the tiny, tiny seeds of our red basil. TFS!

I love goldfinches. We live overlooking a marsh and get quite a few of them and yes they are bright yellow already here in MN.

My grandfather called these finches canaries and I, as a child, was always confused.

Fascinating!! I love the part when the male continues to feed the young while the female is building another nest! “Come on Honey! Those kids need to learn to fend for themselves! I’ve got the new nest almost done!” 🌳💕

I had a female Goldfinch stealing my dog's fur on my patio to make a nest 😄 I love these sweet birds 💛

I haven’t seen a large group of finches in my area yet, but several of them visited my backyard (for sunflowers) last year. They are so cute and pretty~ 🐦💞 Thank for sharing this informative video! 🤗👍✨ 🔆AniFam〽️

Now THIS is content! You tube is best like this.

When I first moved to Wyoming in 1980 people here said wild canary and I was like you mean goldfinch. They told me no its a wild canary. I just laughed because I was from Iowa. Great information on goldfinchs. Some things I didn't know about them. Thanks Leslie!

I absolutely LOVE these little Goldfinches-- darling! But I also enjoy Lesley's commentary, so calming and you can hear the Love in her voice for Birds 💖💖💖

Thanks for this. I've posted a sign in my yard: "To my beloved mother Cowbirds- do not lay eggs in the Goldfinch nest." My mission for the proliferation of NJ Cowbirds continues.

I forgot to add. My tee came. Love it! I've worn it for 2 days straight now ..

They're just the best! I knew they were late breeders, I knew it may have been thistle related and thought it due to their requirement of the plant's silk as nesting material, nice cotton pack!

Oh yes, I put out nesting material for them starting in late winter. I get it at Amazon & put it in those hanging wire boxes that hold food. I also have some stuffed in a pyracantha bush. Anyway, it seems the hummingbirds are the first to use it & then the other birds see it & stuff their beaks & fly away. Once I saw a squirrel empty the entire container & run off with it. We're not allowed to feed birds where I live (HOA--pigeons) but I have 2 pyracanthas that the robins & waxwings love, they eat every single berry. I'm converting my back yard to southern Utah native plants to get the birds back in my yard. I have a birdbath & bushes for them to shelter in. Gonna be NWF Certified Habitat one day.

Thank you for a other amazing video! We hung up the fuzzy cotton ball near our bird house, in hopes that someone will make a nice, sturdy and comfortable nest this season!

These are my husband's favourite bird. We have them year round. They enjoy the black oils feeder. The males have their summer colours on. I hang nesting material called 'hummers helper', I get it from Vesey's. I see the female goldfinches gathering it as well! I watch them and the hummingbirds take turns!

I didn't see Goldfinch until I moved south in NJ. I was enthralled to see these colorful little birds.

So cool to be informed about the nest material.

Saw some on the feeders today, so vibrant this time of year. But the bears are out too, luckily the plastic feeders just snap back together!

Haven't checked in, in a while. You are such a treasure.

They are so lovely. I have several at my feeders at any time year round. It's good to know they are so successful. I love how their flight undulates with each call! Plant Echinachea. They love the seed heads late in season.

I’m needing to add two more thistle feeders to my already four hanging... This Spring I’m going through 10 lbs a week .....it’s a busy Spring in S.E. Michigan... being grateful 🌟

I'd like to add that your videos bring much joy and knowledge to my life. Thanks for the excellent content!!!!

I live in Texas near a brushy open woodland and behind my suburban neighborhood with birdfeeders, including thistle and tube feeders. However the winter of 2018-19 and 2019-20, I only had about 5 each time, even with all the fall aster around that time of the year. I could never figure out why. Next thing you know though, this winter, starting in November, we had the usual 5, then it became 10, then 15, then 20 and then over 30, maybe 40. They kept swarming the feeders and fighting, it was so fun to watch. And because of the irruption this year, we got 1 female purple finch and 2 male purple finches, they were so pretty as well as 2 pine siskins. We also got over 30 savannah sparrows, which weren't here last year except for 1 as well as the usual 4-5 lincoln sparrows and 3 field sparrows. The warblers ate the suet more this winter and so did the chickadees. Our regular winter warblers are yellow rumps, orange crowns and pine warblers. This winter we also got the red bellied woodpeckers to finally eat the suet, before that, it was mainly just the carolina chickadees and carolina wrens and the warblers. Out in the brushy open woodland behind the fence the usual sparrows hung out in the brush and tall grasses as well a house wren, some ruby-crowned kinglets, and blue gray knatcatchers. Of course, there is also the usual Red-Shouldered Hawks and Cooper's Hawks, every migration, including this year we get the truly beautiful indigo buntings. There is also orioles and gray catbirds, but I don't think the local mockingbirds appreciate it. In the summer there is the typical mississippi kites and Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds and maybe orioles or tanagers. All year is the typical cardinals, blue jays, chickadees, carolina wrens, mockingbirds, mourning doves, white winged doves, house finches and the occasional eastern bluebirds show up too. Anyways, if you are wondering where this is, it's Webster, Texas. There are also cows back there. Unfortunately, this property as well as all it's diversity, not all of which I could mention, didn't even get to all the birds like the egrets or all the reptiles and amphibians, like the anoles, toads, treefrogs and snakes, is now might disappear as the property has had most of the trees and brush cleared. Some remains behind my fence and around the edges of the property, but the the rest is gone. I'm not sure what to do now, it might be developed soon or something like that. I'm worried that it will just turn to city like everywhere else and the diversity will disappear. :(

We have a flock of about a dozen goldfinches that have shown up at our backyard feeder in the last week. When not at the feeder, they often shelter in a tree nearby. I can’t see them well in there, but the constant chatter is unmistakable. My wife calls them the “dinner birds” for the way they politely sit down and take turns at the feeder, not fighting and eating politely like they’re at a formal dinner.

Hi, Lesley. I really enjoyed this lesson on Goldfinches. I hope people put out the cotton nesting material. Thanks for sharing! Stay healthy!

Goldfinches look truly exotic! It's so exciting that these beauties reside in my neighborhood (near Boston).

Always enjoy watching your episodes, they are truly beautiful birds .

Hi Lesley, New Jersey here. I plant Zinnia every year and have seen them pluck the pedal's off for the seeds at the end. I like your observation that they don't mind swinging in the wind while they feed because I have seen that also when they are swaying back and forth on my Zinnia's.

That was wonderful -thank you, Lesley! Isn't it amazing how God can create a tiny little bid that weighs as much as a CD that is such a beautiful and amazing little acrobat?! God's creation never ceases to amaze me!

What beautiful little birds!🐦😁

It's always a delight to see new videos from you. 💖 And finches are so CUTE! 💕

Smiled when referred to as "wild canaries". Have used the term myself.

Another great video Lesley we have an European Goldfinch in Australia not a native but introduced in the 1800s a similar bird with many of the same characteristics including being very fond of the thistle seeds. They are not considered a pest unlike the starling and Indian Myna. Many canary breeders cross the goldfinch with a canary to get a mule which is a superb whistler and very robust. Best wishes from Sydney Australia.

Lesley, I am amazed at how many bird species live here in Texas and also where you are in Canada. Yellow Finches love the thistle feeders I put out. My folks still call them Wild Canary’s.

My favorite bird sounds, little squeekers.

Hi, yes this is first Spring I tried those “cotton balls” and somebody loves it! Never been able to see who it is, but so happy they like it🐤

I’m really new to the joy of backyard birding, we built a screened in back porch this spring. I’ve always had one bird feeder and tried to remember to keep full as much as possible. We knew we had Red bellied woodpeckers as we’ve watched them for the past 13 years on the trees out of the kitchen window. The back several acres of our property is wetlands, we had absolutely no idea what we were missing out on for all the years. We’ve got a whole slew of rare and endangered birds right here on our very own piece of paradise this side of heaven. I’m up to 17 feeders now and have 2 more coming today, yes, I’m obsessed with all of these joyful little creatures. I also have some heaters coming for the birdbaths, I read that a water source in the winter time can be hard for the little guys to find when it’s freezing temps. I got one of the camera/video feeders but I wanted more and it was cheaper to add cameras to our security system than buy more of the feeders. So now we have 4 extra cameras so I can keep an eye on everyone when I’m not well enough to sit on the porch all day. My heart function is down to 37% so I can’t always physically get out of bed and spend the day on the porch especially on the days my husband and daughter are working. Don’t think I’m too crazy, it gives me something to look forward and pushes me to get and have something to look forward to. I saw in the video about the natural cotton fibers so I’m going to add that to my playground. My question is, I have one of those wire suet feeders that I’ve been putting cat hair in, someone told me that the birds would use it as nesting material. I’ve been sketchy about it though since cats are one of the main predators of birds so I was really curious if it’s true or not. Should I get rid of the cat hair? I have some natural cotton quilting batting that I can probably pull apart and make it small enough for all the little guys to use. Now I’m excited that maybe we’ll have some new little ones visiting our feeders so the Goldfinches raise their babies later in the season. Since I’m new to all of this you’ve got yourself a new subscriber and I’ve got a playlist to binge watch for days. Thanks for all these great videos you put out and for helping me to learn about all my new back yard children. I’d love advice or tips on getting a few more of the rare a endangered birds on my feeders more often. I offer fresh fruits and veggies everyday as well as a good mixture of seed, pellets, peanuts and suet cakes. I’m in Delaware if that makes a difference on getting these guys out the jungle more often 😂🙈

I love the idea of providing nesting materials for them!

I just saw a Goldfinch hovering like a hummingbird then fliting like a butterfly 🦋 from what you said seems a little early for mating in the Chicago area. But it was really neat to see.

Thank you so much for including the goldfinch song and calls. That was lovely!

Love these guys!! Always have.

Wonderful videos where we can learn and be at peace with some of our greatest gifts: birds. Thank you Leslie.

My trees and feeders are full of little Gold Finches and a few rose colored one... I love Spring!

You just helped me ID the little fella next to me and possibly saved him as he's almost done with his fledgling stage but was on the ground cornered by a bluejay thank you

Males are so beautiful in their "Hey, ladies!" plummage.

This bird just showed up at me feeder for the first time today. Vibrant color.

6:57 I live in California, and for two days, I've seen one of these Goldfinch birds in my backyard bird feeders.

They truly are little sunshine’s ☺️

This beauty comes to my bird feeder early in the morning. Such a delightful sight!

The true harbinger of spring in my eyes!

A lot of people have been asking about the nest material ball at the end of the video and where they can buy it. I will provide the link for the exact product but please know that the video you saw is not mine and also I've never bought or used this product before, therefore I can not endorse their product. I am not sponsored by Wild Birds Unlimited in any way please do your own research and use your own judgement. order.wbu.com/shop/bird-baths-&-houses/bird-houses-&-nesting/nest-building-material

Gorgeous little birds I have been watching and feeding for years. Thanks for posting another great video; enjoyed it!😊❤️

Yesss the EE-HEEE noise is one of my favourite bird noises. I should make it my ring tone - if my phone is ringing, I'm probably alarmed.

Another very informative video. Thank you for that.

We had Goldfinches in our modest sized maple last year. In the Fall that tree was due for a serious pruning, which exposed said nest. When I saw the true size of it I was impressed. The building material was a surprise as well. It appeared to be some sort of fuzzy packing material. Your description of their preferred nesting material enlightened me. Equally rewarding, besides having these little ones as tree guests, was watching passersby stop on the sidewalk to point up and stare at that wholesome structure all through the winter season. Whether they return, time will tell.

My mom has a lot in the area and my girlfriend's feeders are starting to attract them again.

wow this was perfect timing for me. i just put up a feeder and have seen a BUNCH. Thanks for the great vid :)

Thank you so much. I’m enjoying these videos more than I expected. I usually don’t go to bed until 6-7am, so my daylight hours awake are limited. I also live in FtWorth Texas so temperatures are extreme , my opinion) but with your channel I can still enjoy the sights and sounds of our country’s natives. I’m so appreciative Lesley. Pamela

I wish I could see them more often than I do.

I southern Ontario Canada, we have lots of them. I whistle at them every day.

What a beautiful bird. God knew what he was doing when he created birds.

We have three rescue house cats. I comb them quite often, keeping the released fur in a plastic sandwich bag then placing it in a Suit feeder for the birds to utilize in nest building. It's amazing how quickly it disappears when placed outdoors at their disposal.

My favorite finch. I love the squeaky notes they make.

Love Goldfinches! Thank you Lesley!

I love the Gold Finch. My girlfriend knew how to attract Finches and I have been trying to learn what she knew. Thanks.

In much of the country, especially here in the S.E., asters frequently grow in many areas. Right of ways & other infrequently mowed areas generally are full of them. Let some grow for our little gold friends! I put out dryer lint & hair from the brush for nesting. Dry sphagnum moss seems popular too. How I admire the little birds, surviving despite the challenges. Very bright male finches in N. Georgia right now & the hummingbirds have arrived.

Thank you for this! I have not yet seen my little friends. I live in south west Pa. I absolutely love their calls!

Another very nice video.

We have a huge population of American Goldfinches feeding on Catnip nepeta here in NJ. A lovely sight watching from our huge kitchen window.

one of my my favorite birds Lesley you're my favorite bird nerd !

Thanks for confirming what my grandma would call them 60 years ago...Wild Canary. I haven't heard goldfinches called wild Canary in a long time, you bring back fond memories for me! Thanks Leslie 😊

My word for a group of goldfinches is a giggle. A giggle of goldfinches seems like a perfect description.

I live in New Jersey and I do have these birds in my backyard. I've seen them feeding on the seeds of my coneflowers and asters. I absolutely love them. 💛

I had never seen them before until recently. Beautiful birds!

These little guys have come to my backyard. So I put out a thistle seed feeder recently and now I have a pair that come everyday 😊

It's dumping snow outside here in Boulder, Colorado and our feeder is swarming with Goldfinches! I love them so much, and yup, those males are really turning that beautiful gold already! I've probably got a dozen hours of slow-motion footage and many pictures of them over the last year since Covid hit... If you ever need extra shots, I am more than happy to share them and I've got quite a variety of other birds too (and I always avoid getting the feeder in the frame)! A couple days ago the sun popped out while it was snowing and the "diamond dust" was sparking bright... It's truly the most beautiful way to see them, as you can see how the air moves with every flap of their wings! I love your work and appreciate your passion for sharing these wonderful creatures with the world!

I love my pretty babies. They are very comfortable with coming right near me 💛🤍🖤 Yes bright yellow and I have the nest building material ball. For further info, you need to pull it out between the netting so the birds can take some! 😊

They're surprisingly fond of seeds from our Thai basil plant. I've seen several of them at once, eating the seeds from it.

My wife and I called them flying dandelions after seeing a cluster of dandelion flowers and then one took flight, a goldfinch. Blended in perfectly.

I love goldfinches! Wonderful video as always 😊

I see a few Goldfinches around the feeders during the warmer months. I also noticed they are also attracted to catnip that I have growing in pots and will eat the seeds after they flower. Besides cats catnip is great at attracting all kinds of bees and birds.

who thought staying home could be interesting and maybe learn a little. well done AGAIN Miss Nerd

Will confirm that they love sunflower seeds. My mom plants a lot of sunflowers in her garden, and the goldfinches always tear them apart to gorge on the seeds.