Tag: American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)

Seedheads And Leaf Litter

September 14, 2026

An American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis), demonstrating why it is important to leave your gardens as they are now. Seedheads can wait until spring to be cleaned up, and in doing so you are providing many birds with food during the winter.

And all that leaf litter around your yard? It helps many beneficial insects overwinter, as adults, eggs, caterpillars, or pupae. They seek shelter in the leaf litter, which provides insulation and protection. Let those leaves offer protection for these critters.

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Goldfinch Enjoying Late Summer Bounty

August 9, 2026

 An American goldfinch (Spinus tristis), enjoying the late summer bounty of seeds available to him. He’s sitting atop a bunch of Gray-headed Coneflowers (Ratibida pinnata).

Goldfinches amuse me as they approach something that they want to get seed from. Landing on a bunch or a stem and slowly sinking as it takes on the bird’s weight.

Going down.

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Whether At The Feeder Or At The Seed Head

July 9, 2026

To many birds, Sunflower seeds (Helianthus), whether at the bird feeder or directly from the seed head of the flower, are the best.

This a Goldfinch (Spinus tristis), enjoying Sunflower seeds directly from the seed head. How more fresh can you get?

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American Goldfinch Ultimate Seedeater

March 7, 2026

The American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) the ultimate seedeater. Enjoying the seeds of Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta).

I leave my gardens during the winter, to be cleaned up in the spring. That leaves the seedheads as a source of food for the birds all winter long. And I can always depend on the Goldfinches to be the ones most often taking advantage of the situation.

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Winter Goldfinch

December 11, 2025

A male American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis), enjoying the seedheads of Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida) which I’ve left out for he and his many friends.

Hardly the same bird that I saw flocking with others this summer. Gone is the brilliant yellow, the black cap and the bright orange beak. Now in his winter garb, it is a bit difficult to tell a male Goldfinch from a female. Both now have black beaks, and they both have a dull tan coloring. No black cap now. He shows a very subtle yellow around his head which the female lacks. And still he has, striking in their contrast, black and white wings.

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