Goldfinch at Birdfeeder in Harpswell

A male in summer is a yellow bird with a black patch on its forehead, with black wings and tail and white on the wings and rump. In winter he looks much like the female: a dull olive yellow with brownish wings.  The male has a bright orange bill, while the female’s is, again, a dull olive. Note the brighter spring colors compared to the fall in the photos below.

Goldfinch in the Fall (2007)

Goldfinch in the Fall (2007)

Goldfinches on Bird Feeder in Spring (2007)

Goldfinches on Bird Feeder in Spring (2007)

The goldfinch is a year-round resident of Maine found throughout the state.  It likes the small, black niger seed at the feeder. At 4 1/2 to 5 inches, it is smaller than a sparrow, and likes open fields, trees, and suburban areas.

 

2 Comments

  1. Do the goldfinch lay eggs two times per summer awhile back this summer I saw them feeding babies at my feeder and again in the past few days…..if so…….are there others that lay again in the same season?

  2. We have had goldfinches and chicadees at our Niger feeders all spring and summer. Chicadees are still feeding. Where are the goldfinches if they are year round residents?

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