May 2025

As the first wave of summer hits, flashes of brilliant yellow paint a cheery picture at our feeders and wildflowers. In the winter, muted tones descend in large numbers to cover the ground. Which bird shows such a drastic change in color, while still managing to delight us through all four seasons? The American Goldfinch!

This time of year, our goldfinches sport a brilliant yellow color, with orange legs and beaks. The males show off a black cap and wings, and are even brighter than the females. This, however, is only a temporary feature. The fall is molting season for many birds, and goldfinches are no exception, losing all of their bright feathers and wearing a more drab color until the following spring. During this time, their legs and beak change to a more brown tone as well, perfect for blending in during the winter months. Their call is very cheery and bright, sounding like “per-chick-oh-ree” or “po-tay-to-chip” as they fly through the air. The male’s complex and lively song can be heard throughout the spring.

They feed seeds to their young, rather than insects, so they must wait until there are plenty to go around. They are one of the last of our year-round resident birds to start nesting. Some of our goldfinches are year-round residents, while other individuals migrate here from farther north. Another species of goldfinch, the Lesser Goldfinch, was once known as the Arkansas Goldfinch even though it is not usually found in the state; it was named after the Arkansas river. To encourage goldfinches to nest in your yard, make sure to provide native plants, especially grasses, asters, and sunflowers for food and thistles and milkweed for nesting materials. They prefer to build their nests in shrubs, so if you have a few of those nearby, it will help keep them closer! To help them stay close, make sure to provide clean, moving water sources and a supplemental bird feeder specializing in sunflower and/or Nyjer (known by many as “thistle” although it is not a true thistle), with seating for multiple birds at once. They’re very social birds!

If you would like to see more goldfinches at the BGO bird-feeding station, donate to the “Feed a Bird” fund! To find out more about goldfinches and other Arkansas birds, or to pick out your new favorite feeder, visit Wild Birds Unlimited at one of our two locations: 745 E Joyce Blvd in Fayetteville and 2011 Promenade Blvd in Rogers.

Enjoy the birds!