Species-Specific Management (SSM)

American Goldfinch

American Goldfinch

The American goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) is valued primarily for its aesthetic importance to nature-lovers and bird watchers. It is common in forest openings and along roadways of the southern Appalachian forests. It is an important species for research and study due to its unique nesting season that occurs from mid-July to early September. Due to this late nesting season, predation pressure on goldfinch nests is lower than that of earlier nesting species. The late goldfinch nesting season and the granivorous diet of the young combine to reduce the success of parasitism which significantly affects other songbird species. Because the American goldfinch is important to many people for both aesthetic and scientific reasons, there are several actions to take to improve the goldfinch's chances for success.

Also known as the yellow-bird, wild canary, black-winged- or black-capped-yellow-bird, , and the American goldfinch is quite conspicuous. These birds tend to congregate in the spring and summer and are known for their exuberance both in flight and song.

If you wish to see more of these birds and enjoy their presence on your property there are several measures that you can take:

1. Create open areas with scattered trees preferably adjacent to wooded tracts of land.
2. Emphasize the edge between open areas and woods. This means clearing back encroaching trees from woodlots and knocking down bushy growth along the boundary between open areas and wooded tracts.
3. Utilize existing orchards and roadsides since these areas appeal to American goldfinches. Keep these areas up by mowing or brush-hogging. These practices augment the edge effect of such areas.
4. Encourage the growth of seed bearing species of trees, shrubs, and plants. They are mostly seed eaters and favor tall seed-bearing plants.
5. Plant seed bearing species favored by the bird (especially those in the Composite family). These species include:

   gray birch, ragweed , alder, dandelion, catmint, thistle, goats beard, sunflower, burdock, evening primrose

   Dandelion and thistle are especially liked by goldfinches.

6. Plant tree species that are favored by goldfinches. Some of these include:

   sweetgum, oaks, sycamore, birches, alders, pitch pine

7. Supply cleared areas with multiple species of plants that will offer goldfinches alternative food sources throughout the year. This way you will be more likely to keep them around in the winter.
8. Plant catmint or retain ragweed and/or burdock as food sources during the fall.
9. Plant sweetgum and/or sycamore as food sources during the winter.
10. Other plant species that are used by goldfinches include:

    trumpet vine, mountain ash, golden rod, elms,aster

11. Goldfinches also eat the seeds out of rotten apples so leave some waste fruit.
12. Goldfinches rely upon an abundant food source for nest success. During their nesting season, goldfinches feed primarily on the seeds of composite plants (Asteraceae), such as the many species of thistle and sunflower. Also included in this family are goldenrod, wild clematis, dandelion, and chicory. Some cultivated plants that provide seeds for goldfinches are zinnia, coreopsis, millet hemp, turnip, and even lettuce. Wintering goldfinches are highly dependent upon food for survival. These hardy little birds utilize the buds of such trees as birch, maple, alder, elm, and sycamore along with the seeds of spruce, hemlock, larch, and sometimes cedar. Planting or maintaining these food sources and protecting existing sources will provide year-round food for goldfinches and their young.
13. Bird feeders can be used for supplemental feeding. Any feeders installed should be well above the ground (about 15-20 feet is optimal) in order to provide good vantage points and decreased vulnerability to ground predators, however, goldfinches will feed on lower feeder or on the ground depending on what is available. Feeders can be modified with squirrel guards (conical metal sleeves at base of feeder) to keep squirrels from raiding the feeders. The lack of perches and mesh size on feeders can also exclude unwanted birds from the feeder.
14. Bird feeders should be stocked with seed types similar to their natural food source, such as black oil sunflower seed and thistle.
15. Goldfinches also need readily-available water to accompany their seed-based diet. There are many ways to meet this requirement. Birdbaths can be placed on private property or, if approved, in public areas to provide water for goldfinches, but there may be interspecific competition at these sites.
16. Place open areas for goldfinches near sources of water. These birds will not nest far from water. Create water sources if necessary.
17. American goldfinches like swampy areas. Do not drain any wet areas. These places are usually hard to maintain any way; leave them for the birds.
18. Nesting habitat is also a critical need of the goldfinch. One way to satisfy this requirement is to maintain old field areas and to allow fields to grow fallow. Another way to meet this need is to plant and protect or maintain their preferred nest trees. Some of these include Acer sp., Juglans sp., Cornus sp., Crataegus sp., Ulmus, and various shrubs. These actions will also provide protective and concealment cover. Since goldfinches winter throughout the continental United States, protecting their winter habitat can be easily accomplished by protecting coniferous thickets.
19. Discourage cowbirds from entering the area. They may parasitize goldfinch nests.
20. Discourage the presence of European sparrows. They outcompete goldfinches and reduce their numbers.
21. In order to reduce aerial predation and keep goldfinch success levels high, snags and high perches should be removed wherever possible.
22. Domestic cat predation must also be controlled. This can be achieved by suspending feeders with wires from branches, using predator guards on the feeders, or keeping the cats indoors. As an alternative solution, fencing in the yard, may help keep cats out.
23. Systemic organophosphate insecticides, such as dimethoate, should not be used on farms, gardens, or forests. These insecticides cause nervous system damage, weight loss, reduced gonadal activity, and possibly death in the American goldfinch and many other bird species.
24. Bird feeders and birdbaths can be placed in strategic locations to increase viewing opportunities and thus raise the aesthetic value of the birds that result from your investments.
25. Fill feeders with sunflower seeds and place them high (20 - 25 feet) in trees to keep feeding individuals safe from predators. Feeders should also be placed near vegetation with ample escape cover, i.e., bushes, hedge rows, or trees.
26. Keeping records of birds seen and what techniques and practices seem to have the most effect can allow positive changes to be made. Share your findings with others.
27. Invite neighbors and friends over to see "your"goldfinches. Show them specific improvements you have made on your property to promote goldfinch numbers.
28. Compete with neighbors and friends to see who can foster the greatest number of visible goldfinches on their property.

References

Brunet, R. 1992. The impact of dimethoate on rhythms of three granivorous bird species. Agriculture Ecosystems and Environment 41(3-4):327-336.

Forbush, E.B. 1955. A natural history of American birds of eastern and central North America. Boughton Mifflin Co. Boston.

Holcomb, Larry C. 1969. Breeding biology of the American goldfinch in Ohio. Bird-Banding 40(1):26-42.

Middleton, A.L.A. 1979. Influence of age and habitat on reproduction of the American goldfinch. Ecology 60:418-432.

___1991. Failure of Brown-headed Cowbird parasitism in nests of the American goldfinch. Journal of Field Ornithology 62(2):200-203.

Stokes, Allen W. 1950. Breeding behavior of the goldfinch. Wilson Bulletin 62(3):107-123.

Terres, J.K. 1968. Songbirds in your garden. Thomas Y. Crowell Co. New York.

Watt, Doris J. and Amy M. Dimberio. 1990. Structure of successful nests of the Amerioan goldfinch. Journal of Field Ornithology 61(4):413-418.

Contributions by Michelle M. Mullen (1993), W. Shannon Smith (1993), and Thomas H. Eason (1992), Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0321

Submitted by Robert H. Giles, Jr.

This Web site is maintained by R. H. Giles, Jr.
Last revision January 17, 2000.