Golden Jewels of the Hedgerow
The Garden Delights of the Goldfinch
Golden Jewels of the Hedgerow
If you’ve never had the pleasure of watching goldfinches in your garden, you’re missing out on one of nature’s finest sights. These small, striking birds, with their vivid yellow plumage, red faces, and bold black-and-white wings, add a welcome splash of colour even on the dullest days.
Goldfinches are sociable and energetic birds, and I love to see them flitting around the garden. I often see them in flocks, and their swooping flight patterns create a lively display. They’re not ones for solitary brooding - they prefer cheerful company, which will explain why our feeder is often overrun with them.
Distinctive Looks and Dining Habits
I find it quite easy to identify the goldfinch, even with its speed. It is easily recognisable by its bright colours. The red patch on its face contrasts sharply with its yellow wing bars, making it one of the most colourful native birds in Britain.
When it comes to food, goldfinches have a particular taste for seeds, especially teasel and thistle. If you want to attract them to your garden, they say a feeder filled with nyjer seeds is a reliable option, but I’ve found sunflower hearts to be their ultimate favourite.
Melodic Songs
Beyond their eye-catching appearance, goldfinches are known for their pleasant songs. The goldfinch’s call is a delightful, tinkling sound, often described as a cheerful twitter or a “tsee-tsee.” It’s light, musical, and unmistakably upbeat, with a rolling rhythm that carries across the garden. When in flight, they often chatter in a fast, bubbling sequence, giving away their presence before they're even seen. In flocks, their calls blend into a pleasant chorus, full of life and energy. These charming little birds use their song not only to communicate but to reinforce bonds within their group. It is a truly delightful sound.
Courtship and Nesting
During the breeding season, male goldfinches court females with fluttering displays and song. Once paired, the female builds a tidy, cup-shaped nest, often high up in trees or shrubs, weaving plant fibres together and lining it with soft materials. I’ve got a sneaky suspicion that they are nesting in the thick hedge that runs along the front of our garden, as I often see them flitting in and out, and we are always honoured to host an abundance of chicks from spring and through the summer.
Creating a Goldfinch-Friendly Garden
To encourage goldfinches to visit the garden, I always make sure there’s plenty for them to enjoy. In addition to the seeder feeders, we leave some of the borders fairly wild and allow the dandelions to sit pretty before mowing. This provides a natural food source. I avoid using any pesticides, so there are insects around too. A shallow birdbath gives them water to drink and bathe in, which they seem to enjoy on warmer days. It’s all quite simple really, and they keep coming back so I assume what we do is working for them.
A Joyful Presence
Goldfinches quickly became a well-known addition to our garden, they add vibrancy, both visually and through their delightful song. Watching these colourful birds is always an absolute joy. They arrive in little flocks, flitting between feeders and perching delicately on stems. Their red faces and flashes of gold catch the light beautifully, and their constant, tinkling chatter brings my garden to life. I often find myself pausing whatever I’m doing just to watch them feed or squabble gently among themselves. There’s something I find fascinating about their presence. Sometimes they stay for ages, other times just a few minutes - but every visit feels like a small, lovely gift from the wild.
The next time you spot one of these charming birds, take a moment to appreciate their beauty and vitality.
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We get lots of goldfinches. I love them. Yes they love sunflower hearts. I got niger seeds but they were left untouched. Lovely article. Thank you.
I love goldfinches so much! I have found the same thing as you, I was told that niger seeds were a good choice - but they definitely prefer sunflower seeds 😊