The yellow finch, also known as the American Goldfinch or with the scientific name Spinus Tristis, is a small bird native to North America, with bright yellow feathers and black and white edges along the wings, tail and head. A favorite of bird watchers, for their beautiful colors, pleasant chirps and acrobatic, swaying flight, the American goldfinch is a wonderful bird to attract to your garden. By creating a favorable habitat and leaving America's goldfinches favorite food, you may be able to attract these charming feathered friends to frequent your yard or garden.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Create an Attractive Habitat for American Goldfinches
Step 1. Plant shrubs and trees for nests or find a nearby area with vegetation that has already grown
American goldfinches are shy birds and prefer to nest near the tops of dense shrubs found around open fields and rivers, and generally not too deep in forests.
- Find a large secluded space in your garden that is suitable for plants, preferably near an open grassy area or stream, and in a spot with lots of sunshine.
- Plant a mix of deciduous shrubs and trees, such as oak or elm, and evergreens, such as pine, that grow between 4 and 30 feet in height (1.2 - 9.1m). L
- Space out trees and shrubs so goldfinches can be seen easily and don't feel trapped.
Step 2. Plant wildflowers, tall grasses, and thistles
American goldfinches are attracted to wildflowers and thistles as food, but they also use woody material and down from the thistles, cotton plant, cattail, and other herbs to create their nests.
Step 3. Add a water zone
American goldfinches prefer to nest near a spring of water for drinking and bathing.
- Install an inviting birdbath or fountain. You may want to use one with running water to keep the water fresh and inviting for the finches.
- Create your own habitat for American goldfinches near a river if possible.
Method 2 of 2: Provide Desirable Food for America's Goldfinches
Step 1. Choose an appropriate feeder for American goldfinches
Finches belong to the type of bird that "climbs and pecks" to eat, meaning they prefer to cling to the ends of flowers or plants to eat, in the wild. therefore, choose a feeding trough that allows them to climb or cling to the side from various angles, and avoid perch feeders.
- Use a mesh tube feeder. Tube feeders can be bought at most pet stores, home care stores, and online, or they can be built using discarded mesh sheet or pantyhose that have been sewn or tied on top.
- Choose a plastic tube for the manger. A wide variety of plastic tubes can be found in pet stores or online.
Step 2. Fill your feeding trough with the seeds of America's goldfinches
- Add niger seeds, a delicacy for American goldfinches.
- Also include sunflower, dandelion, millet, flax, and goldenrod seeds.
Step 3. Place your manger in a safe and visible position
- Protect America's goldfinches from predators and other animals that might eat them or eat their food by hanging the manger from a tree or post that reaches six to eight feet above the ground.
- Hang your American goldfinch feeder away from other bird feeders, as America's goldfinches are shy about feeding.
- Place your feeder in a visible spot so you can observe the goldfinches of America from afar and without disturbing them.
Advice
- Do not remove dead flowers and buds from your yard or garden, especially carnations and zinnias, as their seeds attract American goldfinches even when the flowers are dead.
- Thoroughly mix new seeds in your American goldfinch feeder every couple of months to keep the feed fresh and prevent it from clumping with moisture.
- Alternate feeding the feeder from the top and the bottom, to avoid seeds bunching together too tightly.
