Many songbirds raise their families in the spring and early summer with the juveniles seen hungrily flitting about in June and July. The American Goldfinch, however, is one of our latest nesting songbirds waiting till July or early-August before they even build a nest. But why?
The main reason…diet.
Young songbirds need a lot of protein as they grow. They are fed loads of insects to satisfy their protein needs. Goldfinches, however, are vegetarians. The young are fed loads of plant, grass and tree seeds. The best time to raise a brood is when these seed sources are readily abundant; hence, mid-to-late summer nesting.
The key time to start watching for nesting activity is when you see the soft, downy heads on thistle plants. They often use this for lining their nests.
American Goldfinches prefer to nest in habitats with trees and shrubs and usually place their nest four to ten feet high. The female chooses the nest site, builds the nest and incubates the eggs all on her own. She attaches the nest to supporting twigs with spider web. Sometimes she’ll weave the nest so tightly that it will temporarily hold water.
Goldfinches usually lay five pale-blue or greenish-blue eggs that will hatch in about 12 days. Nestlings will fledge (leave the nest) about 12 days after that.
The male feeds the female on the nest throughout incubation and takes on an ever increasing role in feeding the nestlings as they grow older.
Young American Goldfinches are dependent on their parents for at least three weeks after fledging. Be sure to watch and listen for their energetic wing fluttering as they harass their parents for food with a two-note begging call at your feeders.
American Goldfinches are common feeder visitors and prefer thistle (nyjer) and sunflower chips. They are also very attracted to water sources for drinking and bathing.
