American Goldfinchs in Alberta

American Goldfinchs are summer residents in Alberta, arriving shortly before nesting begins in August and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on thistle, sunflower, coneflower and aster seeds; tree buds and maple sap in spring.

Continental — prairie in the southeast, aspen parkland in the center, boreal forest in the north and the Rockies in the west.

Across Alberta, goldfinches typically nest from August–September. Nest site: tight cup in shrubs or saplings, lined with thistle or cattail down; nests late, in July–September. Females lay 2–7 eggs, incubate for 12–14 days, and young leave the nest after 11–17 days.

Warm, sunny summers with long days.

• American Goldfinchs don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as paper birch, rabbitbrush, willow (bebb) for nest sites.
• Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after September.

Of the regional native plants we track for Alberta, these 8 provide food or cover goldfinches use:

Goldfinches travel in flocks and can empty a finch feeder quickly. Keep nyjer fresh — they abandon stale, moldy seed.

• Best foods: Nyjer (thistle), Hulled sunflower chips, Black-oil sunflower.
• In Alberta's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.

Full diet breakdown for goldfinches · Best feeder for goldfinches