How to Attract Goldfinches to a Backyard

The American Goldfinch is dazzling in its bright yellow plumage, and so easy to attract to your backyard!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Nyger seed (thistle)
• Finch birdfeeder (tube feeder), usually available at gardening centers, major department stores and hardware stores.

Providing for Finch Needs - safety, food and water

1. Hang your finch birdfeeder near trees or hedges. Finches can be wary of feeding stations if they don't have somewhere to hide should they be startled. Hang the feeder high enough so that roving cats can't jump up to unsuspecting birds. Keep the feeder full year round.

2. Provide a birdbath to draw finches to your feeding area. Be sure to change the water frequently.

3. Plant Purple Coneflower if you have the space. Finches are attracted to these perennials, also known as Echinacia, and they are easy to grow in partial shade or full sun.

4. Keep an eye on the Nyger seeds. If the weather has been wet, the Nyger seeds may soften in the humidity and mold. If you find that the finches are ignoring the feeder, you should change the seeds for fresh ones.

5. Provide small piles of dried grass in the early spring. Goldfinches and other birds will use the strands as nest making materials, thereby attracting more birds to your backyard.

Tips & Warnings

• You probably will find other finches showing up in your backyard too; Redpolls, Pine Siskins and Purple Finches are attracted to Nyger seed too.