Goldfinches

Goldfinches ~Photography by Caitlyn Sippel

In the Summer-time, Goldfinches are known to resemble bumble bees with their bright yellow and contrasting black colours. They can live up to 11 years, have a wing span of 18-23 cm and fly in small flocks. My mom refers to them as wild Canaries because they have a beautifully intricate song that sounds like that of the Canary; they are also canary-yellow in colour. The male especially shows off his beautiful voice during courtship as he circles his chosen female while serenading her with his song.

Voice:

Goldfinch males like to sing a loud and rising bay-bee (sounding like the word baby) but are joined by females in singing a complex 3-5 note warbling song that sounds like tit-tse-tew-tew, usually while flying. Watch this video of Goldfinch sounds by Lesley the Bird Nerd:

Nesting:

These beautiful yellow birds lay 4 to 5 eggs in a shaded open cup nest of grass. They have 1-2 broods from July through to September.

Feeding:

They mainly eat seeds from birch, alder and annual plants, though prefer thistle and sunflower seeds in feeders. Goldfinches also eat some insects.