The goldfinch is one of the most beautiful garden birds, boasting feathers in a range of colours that make them highly distinctive. If you are someone who likes to sit out on your Norfolk Leisure Life garden furniture and watch the birds, here is a guide to attracting and spotting goldfinches.
What do they look like?
Goldfinches are roughly 12cm long and the feathers on their heads are a mix of black, white and red. The top and back have black feathers, while the sides are white and the front face feathers are bright red. A goldfinch has wing feathers that are black with a gold V-shape on them, and body feathers that are a mix of white and brown.
What should you feed them?
One food that they are partial to is niger seed, which is a small and fine type of seed. However, they are also keen on sunflower hearts, so filling your feeders with them may help to attract goldfinches.
What type of feeders should you use?
Goldfinches are not ground feeders – they prefer to perch. Therefore, standard hanging bird feeders should be fine as long as they are more than 1m above the ground. You can also use a table feeder to attract them. Either a covered or open-top one will do.
Where do they nest?
Goldfinches like to build their nests in places that have plenty of bushes and trees. If your garden has them, it could be a viable spot for them to nest.
Why not keep an eye out for goldfinches in your garden this summer?
