Tag Archives: American Goldfinches

American Goldfinches arrive in chattering groups, attracted to native thistles and milkweed. They love sunflower and nyger seeds, so you might be able to attract them to a tube feeder. Ron Bolander photographed this pair. The male is looking very spiffy in his bright yellow feathers.

Sara Bogard also photographed these small finches feeding on a coastal bluff.

These birds often are seen with Pine Siskins. Their songs are a series of warbles and twitters. You can listen to their call at this link of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Goldfinch/sounds

Thanks to Ron and Sara for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

A river of rain event is on its way this afternoon. It's quite balmy as we await Mother Nature's theatrics. Rick and I were out yesterday and we checked the Gualala River. It is closed by the sandbar and has filled up nicely into the lagoon. We'll have to see if the river opens with this oncoming storm.

Spring doesn't know...

Shirley Mitchell saw a charming sight. She called these Pine Siskins "whale riders."

Pine Siskins arrive on the Mendonoma Coast about the same time the beautiful male Goldfinches. They both love to eat at thistle feeders filled with niger seed. Below is a photo taken by Dean Schuler of male American Goldfinches at one such feeder.

Siegfried Matull took this lovely photo of three Goldfinches on a branch and a Pine Siskin in the air.

Thanks to Shirley, Dean, and Siegfried for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

2 Comments

A beautiful male California Quail decided that the view from on top of our Goldfinch feeder would make a good vantage point to watch for danger. He didn't bother the American Goldfinches as they continued to feed. Is there another bird as beautiful as a male Quail?

I thought this picture was lovely with the sun breaking through the clouds and fog. Usually the storm clouds chase the fog away but it seemed like they merged together for a while several days ago, swirling and billowing. Today we have blue skies and the male American  Goldfinches are adorning a fir tree like brilliant yellow oranments.