There is a lot going on right now in the bird world and in our backyards. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks settled in this week at feeders as have Indigo Buntings. Expect to see numerous RB Grosbeaks at feeders until around mid-May as they will eventually move along to their summer homes to breed, usually north of TN. East TN in higher elevations is also part of their breeding range. RBG’s love most seeds offered at feeders and will compete with one another for a place at the table. If you have a few more feeders stored away now is the time to put them out to accommodate as many as possible. They are really eager to feed during their long journey from Central and South America.
RBG’s are monogamous and both male and female build the nest.Males usually make the choice of nest site, however.The male Rose-breasted Grosbeak shares incubation duties with the female and is known to sing while doing so. For more info on the Rose-breasted Grosbeaks visit Cornell labs website.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds continue to arrive or pass through but don’t expect a lot of action at the feeders just yet. They prefer blossoms for their nectar source early in the season. Bluebirds, Chickadees, and Carolina wrens are either finishing, or somewhere in the middle stages, of their first nesting, and neo-tropical migrants are pouring through TN during these peak migration weeks of late April and early May. Birdwatching is at its peak during this time. You may want to join TOS birdwatchers at Radnor Lake Wed. mornings to learn a little more about this rapidly growing and rewarding hobby. Bring binoculars and be prepared to watch, listen and learn. Visit Tennessee Ornithological Society’s website at www.tnbirds.org.
Next to Bluebirds and Hummingbirds the American Goldfinch is perhaps the most discussed bird at The Wood Thrush Shop. We’ve been getting a lot of Goldfinch questions lately. This finch is a year round species here in TN and known for its bright yellow and black plumage in spring and summer while in winter dull and almost completely lacking in yellow.
Mostly what we hear from customers are questions like, “where have the Goldfinches gone” or “why can I not attract Goldfinches”? There are no simple answers nor is there much we can suggest to increase your chances of attracting more Goldfinches. When it comes to attracting Goldfinches patience and an understanding of their habits and seasonal movements is important. So, why are Goldfinches so different from the other backyard birds?
Goldfinches are exclusively seed eating birds which means they have a natural food supply everywhere they go and in almost every season of the year. This also means your feeders should be in tip top condition with a dry source of seed to entice them to visit. Goldfinches won’t visit your feeders if they are not providing something as good as they find in nature. In late summer when Coneflower, Zinnias, and Rudbeckia are in bloom and the seeds become ready I see great numbers of Goldfinch feeding there rather than on the feeders nearby. Sometimes they just prefer what nature has to offer. And really, shouldn’t it be that way?
To further complicate matters, unlike other backyard birds, Goldfinches are on the move much of the time, never staying in one area for very long. During the non-breeding seasons, winter, spring and fall, there are great movements by these birds which explain their inconsistent presence at feeders. Many of us see more at feeders in winter when northern populations have come here to escape harsh conditions.
Goldfinches love a variety of seeds, not just Nyjer, including sunflower and safflower, at feeders. I believe sunflower is their preferred seed. I use fine sunflower hearts in my finch feeder and do quite well attracting Goldfinches. Nyjer for finch feeders is not a seed native to this country. It is grown primarily in Africa, particularly Ethiopia and Kenya, as well as in India, Nepal, and Myanmar. This explains why it’s a little pricier. It is heat treated before entering this country so it will not germinate.
American Goldfinch feeding on sunflower chips.
Keeping your feeders topped off is always recommended as Goldfinches are social and prefer to feed as a group. Waiting for them to finish what’s in the feeder will backfire because if what’s remaining in the feeder accommodates only two birds they likely will move on. Many times customers will be fooled into thinking there’s’ something wrong with the remaining seed. Shake the feeder to see if the seed is dry and loose. If it is just top it off. Your results should be better.
Almost any kind of bird feeder may attract American Goldfinches, including hopper, platform, and hanging feeders, and these birds don’t mind feeders that sway in the wind
As mentioned, they like Zinnias, Coneflower, and Rudbeckia, so planting patches of them will likely bring Goldfinches.
Interesting Facts
• American Goldfinches breed later than most North American birds. They wait until June or July to nest when milkweed, thistle, and other plants have produced their fibrous seeds, which goldfinches incorporate into their nests and also feed their young.
• Goldfinches are among the strictest vegetarians in the bird world, selecting an entirely vegetable diet and only inadvertently swallowing an occasional insect.
• When Brown-headed Cowbirds lay eggs in an American Goldfinch nest, the cowbird egg may hatch but the nestling seldom survives longer than a few days. The cowbird chick simply can’t survive on the all-seed diet that goldfinches feed their young.
• Because of the nest material they use and how tightly it is woven a Goldfinch nest has been known to hold water which can obviously have dire consequences.
Managing your expectations when it comes to attracting Goldfinches is advisable. There are no guarantees when you consider their habits and preferences.
Keep the binoculars close and enjoy the birds.