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Most of these pictures were taken during the past three months.

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They are some of the prettiest birds that come to our feeders during the summer. I went online to find some fun facts about goldfinches.

They are found across most of North America, though they avoid thick forests.

Only breeding males are bright yellow in the spring. Females have duller feathers. Males and females are a dull yellow in winter.

The American Goldfinch is the only finch species that molt twice a year. The first time is in the spring when the males get their bright yellow feathers, and the second is at the end of summer when the darker feathers grow in. 

Compared to other native North American birds, Goldfinches are late breeders. The birds wait to start building nests until late June and early July when the thistle and milkweeds are going to seed. They like to use the seeds in their nests and as a nearby food source for their young.

Goldfinches are avid vegetarians. The only time the birds stray from their vegetarian diet is when they accidentally swallow a small insect. 

2007 researchers banding Goldfinches in Maryland discovered the oldest known living one at 10 years and 9 months. Due to yearly banding and tracking, scientists were able to verify the bird’s extraordinarily long life. 

American Goldfinches use a four-syllable call when they’re ready to take flight. If you listen closely, it sounds like the birds are saying “po-ta-to-chip”.  

It’s not common but older females can have a second brood in mid or late summer. The female will leave her original mate in-charge of her first brood and find another male. The female will build a second nest for the new brood and raise the hatchlings until it’s time to migrate. 

Goldfinches weave their nests tight enough to hold water, though only temporarily. To keep their nests secure in the trees the birds use spider webs. The webbing is used to attach the nest to twigs and even small branches. 

Male Goldfinches outnumber females by an estimated ratio of three to two. The reason why the male population is higher is due to their longer lifespan. Males typically live longer than female Goldfinches. 

Male and female American Goldfinches are dominant at different times. During the summer, females are dominant and become subservient to the males in winter. It is thought that females are dominant during the warmer months since it is their breeding season. 

The Goldfinch is the state bird of Iowa, New Jersey, and Washington.