Eyes that see the good in things- Yellow finches

The little yellow finches came back to my yard last week. My cat and I spotted them about the same time. We were both sitting in front of windows, me in the TV room and the cat in the living room. My recliner is placed near a pair of corner windows looking out on an old evergreen tree. These windows have become a favorite place to watch birds and wildlife over the years.

However, on this particular morning, I was planning for an upcoming visit from my husband’s family when I heard the familiar song of the little yellow finch. I looked up to see the little bird perched on the evergreen branch near my window but it wasn’t long before he was attempting to attach himself to the screen. As I was watching the little finch scratching on the window screen, I heard a ruckus in the living room.

When I went to investigate, our cat was not as entertained as I was by the little yellow finches. He was perched in his hunting position, with his tail flicking back and forth on the dog’s window seat. Today, the cat was up there by himself, diving at the edge of the window. At first, I didn’t see his target but then this finch rose up out of the rose bushes and perched on the windowsill, right in front of the cat. Over and over again, that cat dived at the bird on the OTHER SIDE of the glass. The finch would drop back down to the bushes below and then, they would do it all again. They kept me entertained for awhile and I decided to research what would keep them coming to my yard.

I learned that the yellow finch is also known as the American goldfinch. It prefers open space, with their preferred habitat consisting of meadows and fields where there is little tall growth but lots of lower growing cover. They especially like having plants with small seeds to eat, like asters, sunflower, dandelion and especially thistle. Aah, that’s why they keep coming back to my house. We have plenty of dandelions and thistle.

The yellow finch migrates throughout North America, from Canada during the warmer months to the Gulf of Mexico when it is colder. A pair of yellow finches will select a nesting site near the edge of their habitat in a tall tree or bush, build in the junction of several branches and lined with soft, down material like dandelion and thistle heads. Most will not nest in a birdhouse.

Yellow finches are shy birds but are often sought after by birdwatchers because of their bright plumage. Creating an attractive habitat filled with plants and food they prefer will increase the chances of bringing the yellow finches to our backyards and gardens. Creating a finch habitat

Plant shrubs and trees with plenty of vertical branches for nesting. Finches often build nests among dogwoods, elderberries, pines, willows, fruit trees, and thistles. The best areas are large and secluded with lots of sunlight.

Finches generally make their nests between 3 feet to 10 feet off the ground. It protects the nests from cats and other predators. Set your feeders near areas with taller shrubs and trees to have a better chance of attracting finches.

Grow colorful flowers to serve as a bright food source. Black oil sunflowers attract many types of birds, including finches. Yellow finches also eat seeds from asters, purple coneflowers, black-eyed Susans. Other colorful flowers, like daisies, cosmos, marigolds, poppies, and zinnias are like beacons for these birds. Don’t deadhead these flowers after their blooms fade. Finches feed on their seeds after they die out.

Add a birdbath to provide fresh water in your yard. Yellow finches nest near sources of water for drinking and bathing. To increase your chances of bringing finches to the area, get a standing bath or fountain with circulating water. Set it close to the trees and flowers that attract finches, if possible.

Hanging a bird feeder

Choose a tube or sock feeder designed for finches. Finches are classified as “cling and peck” feeders, meaning that they cling to the ends of flowers or grass stocks when eating in the wild. For this reason, get a feeder that allows them to hang or cling to the sides at varying angles. Avoid feeders with perches that attract larger birds. You can use a mesh sock feeder for an easy way to feed yellow finches. The birds pull seeds through the fabric with their small beaks.

Fill your feeder with thistle seeds that finches prefer. Thistle seeds are the most common food source for bringing yellow finches to feeders. Most other birds and squirrels don’t eat this type of seed, so they will leave your feeder alone. Keep the feeder brimming with fresh thistle to attract more finches. Use only fresh thistle seeds, which look black and oily. Brown seeds are old and yellow finches will avoid them.

Mix other types of seeds into the feeder as a supplement. Yellow finches enjoy black oil sunflower seeds as well as hulled seeds from other sunflower varieties. They also eat seeds from dandelions, goldenrod, and other plants. Flax and millet are a few other inexpensive treats to stretch out a bag of thistle seeds. Finches have small beaks that cannot crack hard shells. If you purchase sunflower seeds or safflower seeds, get them with the husks removed. Keeping the seed mix at about 75 percent thistle will keep squirrels and other birds away.

Hang your feeder at least 5 feet above the ground. Hook the feeder to the end of a tree branch or a tall metal pole. That way, my pesky cats won’t be able to disturb the finches as they feed. Metal feeder poles are a great resource since they allow to place a feeder almost anywhere. If you decide the feeder is in a bad spot, pull the pole out of the ground and plant it elsewhere.

Maintaining the feeding environment.

Empty half-filled feeders to remove old and compacted seed. Seed at the bottom of a feeder accumulates moisture and compacts over time. Yellow finches are a little picky, so check the old seed at least once a month, if it looks healthy, mix it in with the new seed.

Deep-clean feeders twice a month with water and bleach. Dilute 1-part liquid bleach in 9 parts clean water. Liquid dish soap also helps when cleaning feeders, but it doesn’t eliminate mold. Or you can make it easier and just use the sock feeders and replace them when needed.

Wash and refill birdbaths 2 to 3 times a week. Birdbaths are prone to the same bacteria that wet feeders are, so clean them as often as possible to prevent yellow finches from getting sick.

Good luck attracting the yellow finches to your yard. Their beautiful song enriches my life and their vibrant color provides a little variety in the garden. Their quirky personality provides entertainment, once again showing me that sometimes, it really is the small things that make a difference to an an otherwise mundane day. 

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