August 5, 2022: American Goldfinch
I met a resident the other day who said he was happy that the Bluebirds had a successful nesting season. He had enjoyed watching a nest box close to his house, but was a little sad that the young had fledged and activity was over. Then, he said, the yellow birds showed up.
“Yellow birds” – the American Goldfinch is the bird he was referring to. American Goldfinches are about 5 inches in size. Males change from a yellowish brown in winter to a bright yellow body, with a black cap with light yellow on their faces and chins during the breeding season. Their wings and tail have black and white bands. The females are yellowish green with black wings and tails.
Goldfinches are seed eaters and can easily be attracted to a special type of feeder filled with thistle or Nyjer seed. I’d read that they are also very attracted to yellow feeders, so I visited Amazon. Sure enough–my new little yellow feeder is busy all day.
Happy Birding!