Goldfinch

Similar to a Blue Tit in size, they have a buffish coloured back with black and white wings that have a distinctive yellowy gold flash, which becomes more obvious in flight. The head has a red, black and white patterning although juveniles don't display this until after their first moult, about two months after fledging.

The combination of beautiful colouration and a readiness to visit feeders makes the Goldfinch an enduring favourite with garden birdwatchers. Males and females are almost identical, but if you get good views the red above the eye extends behind the eye in males, and the black on the head and wings is usually more pronounced, without brown or buff edges to the feathers. Both birds make the delightful, tinkling call, but the males are the principal singers.

Despite popular misconceptions, the seed of choice for the Goldfinch is not Nyjer (Thistle) Seed as many believe, but Sunflower Hearts – a food we are proud to have introduced to the UK bird feeding marketing almost 20 years ago. Nyjer provides an excellent alternative to if the Goldfinche are moved off the Sunflower Hearts by other birds. Sunflower hearts are the tasty centre inside the black sunflower seed. They are one of our best-selling foods and give garden birds maximum energy. We have recorded a staggering number of birds feasting on sunflower hearts. Even 'non seed-eating' birds such as thrushes, Robins and Blackbirds who generally have difficulty in opening the outer husks, have been seen merrily feeding away.