Perch Supply
Diet

What do lesser goldfinches eat?

Seeds of daisies and thistles.

Finches (Fringillidae)Lesser GoldfinchSpinus psaltria

Spring and summer diet

  • Seeds, some insects

Fall and winter diet

  • Seeds

Best feeder foods

  • Nyjer
  • Sunflower chips

A common western finch year-round; drinks often, so water is a strong draw.

Which feeder works best for lesser goldfinches →

Where lesser goldfinches need winter food

Regions where lesser goldfinches are present in the cold months:

ArizonaCaliforniaColoradoNevadaNew MexicoOregonTexasUtah

Frequently asked

What do lesser goldfinches eat?

Seeds of daisies and thistles.

What is the best food to feed lesser goldfinches?

Nyjer, Sunflower chips.

What do lesser goldfinches eat in winter?

Seeds.

Sources

  1. Lesser Goldfinch — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. Lesser Goldfinch life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. Lesser Goldfinch — Audubon Guide to North American Birds

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.