Goldfinchs in Finland
When the Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) is present in Finland, when it nests, and which native Finland plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Finland
- Summer visitor
- Nesting season
- May–August
- Size
- 12 cm, 16 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
When to expect goldfinchs in Finland
The Goldfinch arrives in Finland in spring to breed and leaves again in autumn. Brief, bright summers; nesting is compressed into May–July.
Boreal continental, forested and lake-strewn.
Nesting in Finland
In Finland the Goldfinch usually nests May–August. Nest site: neat cup far out on a branch. Clutches are 4–6 eggs, incubated for 11–13 days; chicks fledge after 13–18 days, and pairs raise 2–3 per year.
- The Goldfinch does not use enclosed nest boxes — dense native shrubs and climbers give it nest sites.
- Avoid cutting hedges during the nesting season (roughly March to August) — in the UK, disturbing an active nest is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Native Finland plants for goldfinchs
Of the native plants we track for Finland, these 2 provide food the Goldfinch uses:
Catkin seed for Siskins and Redpolls; many caterpillars for tit broods.
Cones hold seed that Siskins and Goldfinches feed on all winter.
Feeding in the garden
Small seeds from teasel, thistle and knapweed.
- Best foods: Nyjer seed, Sunflower hearts.
- Feeders: Nyjer feeder, Tube feeder.
- Leave teasel and knapweed heads standing through winter.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are goldfinchs in Finland all year?
No. The Goldfinch is a summer visitor to Finland, arriving to breed and leaving in autumn.
When do goldfinchs nest in Finland?
Typically May–August. Clutches are 4–6 eggs, incubated for 11–13 days, with 2–3 per year.
Which native plants help goldfinchs in Finland?
Silver birch, Alder are native to Finland and provide food or cover the Goldfinch uses.
Goldfinchs in other countries
Other garden birds in Finland
Sources
- Goldfinch — RSPB bird guide
- Goldfinch — BTO BirdFacts
- Finnish Bird Atlas — Finnish Museum of Natural History
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.