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Goldfinches and Finch Food!

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Goldfinches and Finch Food! A Purple Finch (left) en- Frequently Asked Questions joys Sunflower Hearts and About Finch FOOD: an American goldfinch (right, in winter plumage) B i r d s - I - V i e w munches on a 50/50 blend Q. What do Finches eat? of Sunflower heart chips A. Finches utilize many small grass seeds and and Nyjer Seed . flower seed in nature and are built to shell tiny Frequently Asked Questions seeds easily. At Backyard Bird feeders they will Q. Do Goldfinches migrate in winter? FAQ consume Nyjer Seed (traditionally referred to as A. In much of the US, including the Mid- “thistle” in the bird feeding industry, but now west, Goldfinch are year-round residents. about more correctly referred to as “Nyjer”). They also There are areas of the US that only experi- consume Black Oil sunflower Seed and LOVE ence Goldfinch in the Winter and parts of Goldfinches and Sunflower HEARTS whether whole or in fine northern US and Canada only have them chips. In recent years, more and more backyard during breeding season. Check out the nota- Finch Food! birders are feeding Sunflower hearts (which ble difference between the Goldfinch’s does not have a shell) either alone or combined plumage in the winter and during breeding with the traditional Nyjer seed (which DOES season on the cover of this brochure! Q. What other finches can I see at feeders used by Goldfinch? A. Year-round House Finch as well as non- finch family birds like chickadees, tufted Titmouse, and Downy Woodpecker will en- joy your finch feeder. In the winter months Sunflower Nyjer Seed BIV Special Finch heart Chips Has a shell Mix ( 50/50 sunf Pine Siskins, Purple finch, and even a Red- No shell and and is about 100% food heart chips + Nyjer) poll might share your finch feeder. See the 40% Food inside of this Brochure form more de- have a shell). Because they have become famil- tailed info on these special birds! iar with Sunflower hearts in recent years, Gold- Q. When do Goldfinch nest? finches will often chose this shell-free food over A. American Goldfinch are considered Late nesters, usually nest- Nyjer. One important note: Squirrels also prefer Winter plumage Breeding season plumage ing in July. Therefore, Sunflower hearts over Nyjer seed! they are not as territo- Q. Is Nyjer Seed the same seed as the noxious rial as other birds in Birds-I-View invasive thistle seen growing in fields and the spring and we get yards? to see them flocking 573-638-BIRD(2473) A. NO! Nyjer is related to aster plants together at our feed- and not the invasive “Canada thistle” that ers! Goldfinch are easi- www.birds-i-view.biz has been detrimental to our native plants. ly attracted to nesting material of natural cot- Confusion about that arose due to the tra- ton fibers, hair and fur. Committed to providing Products & ditional habit of bird seed vendors refer- Information that Benefit Wildlife ring to Nyjer as “Thistle Seed”. Birds-I-View Learning Page Comparing: Common Redpoll, Pine Siskin, and American Goldfinch Many areas of the U.S. are fortunate to have Common Redpolls, Pine All Photos by Siskins, and Goldfinch during the Winter months– some winters in Steve Garr great numbers, other winters not so many. Although American Goldfinch are present all year long Common Redpoll in many areas, they certainly have brighter, more vibrant plumage during the summer breeding season than during the winter. Often, these three species can be found together foraging for natural food in trees, or at bird baths and feeding stations. Pine Siskin The next time you have a winter Common Redpoll flock of Goldfinch in your yard, be sure to take a closer look to see who else might be there, too! Birds-I-View Pine Siskin 512 Ellis Blvd Jefferson City, MO 65101 573-638-BIRD(2473 See more Learning Pages and Educational Brochures at: (Winter plumage) www.birds-i-view.biz American Goldfinch American American House Finch Making Comparisons Goldfinch at your feeder! Sometimes the only “view” of Pine Siskin birds at your feeder is the angle that blocks your view of much of the birds! It is helpful to be able to identify who is at your feeder with out having to see Pine Siskin the bird’s head. Check out the differences in these birds by Above: Both the Pine Siskin and Goldfinch Above: Both the Pine Siskin and House Finch looking at their tails. (see notes have “forked” or “notched” tails, however note show striping at this angle...however the Siskin under photos left and right) how white the underside of the Goldfinch is has a forked or “notched” tail, while the House compared to the stripes on the Pine Siskin. Finch’s tail is more squared. Printed on Recycled Paper .
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