After Goldfinches molt their golden summer finery they tend to spend the winter in flocks of 5-100 birds. They feed on grass and weed seeds in fields, meadows and backyards. They especially like Ragweed, Thistles, Goldenrod, Evening Primrose and Mullein. In the winter they also enjoy the seeds of birches, alders and conifers.
You may see these birds calmly picking out seeds and holding on tight to these plants while the winter wind blows. Thistle plants are not only important to the Goldfinch as a food source, they use the plants’ downy seeds for nesting material. In fact, goldfinches are among the latest nesting birds in New England, in this way their nesting coincides with seed production of thistles.
Watch for Goldfinches at your bird feeder this winter, and remember, the males will have molted their bright yellow in exchange for a more humble brownish-gray winter suit.
