A Garden Birdwatcher's Guide to the Goldfinch

3 min read
A Garden Birdwatcher's Guide to the Goldfinch

There is no bird I love more than the goldfinch. Seeing them at the feeders in our garden brightens my day and I consider them my lucky bird - spotting a goldfinch eating my bird food blends led me to start A Little Bird Company.

With their beautiful colouring, goldfinches are a truly distinctive bird. They mainly feed on thistle and teasel seeds, but will also eat small insects in the summer. Goldfinches enjoy a range of food at the bird feeder including niger seed and sunflower hearts.

To support goldfinches in your garden all year round, try one of our seed feeders with a mix of seasonal food - they especially love the sunflower hearts. You can also plant teasels and leave the stems of perennials in place during the winter - you will often see the seed heads bobbing up and down as the goldfinches feed.

Breeding season begins for the goldfinch in late April, and they lay 2-3 broods of 4-6 eggs each year. Eggs are incubated for just under a fortnight in cup-shaped nests built by the female and positioned near the end of the branches of fruit trees, and chicks fledge after 13-18 days.

Nest-building is serious business for goldfinches. They construct cup-shaped nests using twigs, grass, and moss, often hidden amidst dense vegetation or high up in trees. Goldfinches have a unique way of lining their nests with materials that possess natural insect-repellent properties. These resourceful birds incorporate aromatic plants, such as yarrow and lavender, into their nests. These plants contain natural oils that help repel parasites and insects, providing a safer and more comfortable environment for their young.

Goldfinches are a relatively common site in our British gardens, although they were in decline during Victorian times when they were captured and caged as pets. The declining number of goldfinches in the UK was one of the first priorities of the RSPB. They are highly social birds and flock in their thousands in Autumn, easily recognised by their distinctive dropping flight.

They have a beautiful, rippling song, and a group of goldfinches is known as a “charm”, which is thought to be derived either from the Latin word “carmen” meaning magical song, or the Old English word “c’irm” which means several songs sung at the same time. 

Goldfinches have long held a special place in European folklore, where they are often associated with positive symbolism and enchanting tales. In various cultures, these charming birds have been considered harbingers of good fortune and bringers of joy. In certain folk beliefs, goldfinches are thought to have a connection to the spiritual realm. They are seen as intermediaries between humans and the divine, carrying messages from the heavens to the earthly realm. 

According to European folklore, it is believed that goldfinches bring happiness and prosperity to those who encounter them. Their vibrant yellow plumage and melodious songs are seen as signs of good luck and positive energy.

In some traditions, goldfinches are associated with love and romance. They are said to be messengers of affection, symbolising the blossoming of new relationships and the strengthening of existing bonds.

Ready to deepen your connection with the birds in your garden? Discover more about your feathered friends and how to attract them to your space with Amidst the Birdsong: A Garden Birdwatcher's Journal. This beautifully crafted journal is the perfect companion for anyone looking to observe and learn about the birds visiting their garden. Start your birdwatching journey today – click here to learn more.

Meet the author!

Clare Cahill is an enthusiastic bird lover with a passion for observing and learning about the incredible variety of birds around us. While she doesn’t have a formal degree in ornithology, Clare has dedicated countless hours to reading birding books and exploring nature, constantly expanding her knowledge and deepening her love for wildlife.

For Clare, birdwatching brings a sense of calm and connection to the world, offering a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. She believes that the more we connect with nature, the more we can do to protect and conserve it. Through her writing, Clare hopes to inspire others to take a moment to pause, look up, and appreciate the wonderful birds that share our spaces.

Meet Clare

The seasonal bird food brand

We're a little company, supporting little birds. Find out more about what sets us apart.

  • Seasonal

    Birds have different dietary needs throughout the year, from nesting to moulting and surviving colder months. To support these changes, we’ve created seasonal blends – order a Seasonal Bird Food bag, and we’ll adjust the blend to match the season, making it easy to do something great for the birds.

  • Sustainable

    Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. We don't farm, process, and transport cheap filler ingredients that birds simply kick to the floor. Instead, we focus on premium ingredients they love. Our packaging is compostable, and our bird feeders and nest boxes are tested for durability and longevity.

  • Songbird

    We design our food and select our range of feeders with little birds in mind. Every ingredient in our blends is chosen because small birds love it, simplifying your bird feeding routine. Our feeders provide safe access to food while helping to keep out larger, more dominant species. Look out for robins, blue tits, wrens, finches and more visiting your garden for our food.

  • Support

    With birds in your garden, you’re never alone - they’re the friends who always visit. Feeding them supports wildlife conservation while bringing joy and calm. Whether spotting a new species or simply watching their daily routines, just ten minutes a day strengthens your connection with nature and boosts your wellbeing.

When life feels busy, the birds keep it simple.

There’s something lovely about how feeding the birds becomes part of the rhythm of your day. A scoop of seed, a clean dish of water - and then a pause, just to watch who turns up. It doesn’t have to take long, but those moments can be surprisingly grounding. A little burst of mindfulness, fresh air, a chance to notice your garden as it changes throughout the seasons, and the cheerful flutter of wings - it’s good for the soul.

Join our flock of bird enthusiasts who share a passion for sustainable and thoughtful bird feeding.

Start Your Bird Food Subscription

Shop our bestsellers

From our popular seasonal bird food to the Squirrel Buster squirrel resistant bird feeder, our range is designed to help you to create a haven for little birds in your garden.