American Goldfinch Nesting: A Complete Guide

Goldfinch (Thorns) is a well-loved and fairly common backyard bird of the eastern United States. They often feed birds and fly around lawns and gardens in search of seeds, especially those of goldenrods. But where do these little yellow birds nest?

The nesting habits of the American goldfinch differ slightly from other species. Goldfinches, for example, start nesting much later than most birds, usually not breeding until late June. Their nests are hidden in bushes – well concealed, but usually more open than those of other roosting birds.

A goldfinch’s nest can be difficult to spot, even if you’re looking for one. Knowing where to look for what will help train your eyes. We’ll cover all these details and more in the next article!

American Goldfinch Collecting Nesting Material

Where do goldfinches nest?

Goldfinches usually nest in herbaceous or coniferous shrubs, placing the nest in some vertical junction of branches to provide support. They prefer open new growth habitats to dense, mature forests.

Nests can be anywhere from a few centimeters to a few feet off the ground. Also, they are often shaded by vegetation above, but fairly open and bare below.

If you spot a goldfinch nest, there may be more nearby. These birds tend to nest in small flocks—probably because resources are abundant near the site.

What does a goldfinch’s nest look like?

Goldfinch nests are cup-shaped and very strong. The foundation is built around the branches that support it. External nesting material usually consists of twigs and strips of bark held together by spider silk. The interior is made of fine roots and plant fibers, with a soft lining added to make the nest comfortable.

Goldfinch typically get their down material from plants in the goldenrod family, including dandelions and thistles. However, birds may also use synthetic materials left behind by humans.

American Goldfinch in winter

What time of year do American Goldfinch nest?

The American Goldfinch has a late nesting season compared to other birds. They don’t start breeding until late June, which means peak nesting doesn’t start until late July or even August.

Latency can be due to several factors. Goldfinches likely choose this time of year because their preferred nesting material is more readily available in midsummer, as are the seeds these birds feed their young.

How Long Do Goldfinch Nest?

Goldfinches have a relatively short nesting season compared to other species. Since these birds usually don’t start breeding until late June, nesting only occurs between July and August.

A month or more may pass between the start of the nest and when the chicks leave the nest. A pair may produce a second litter within a year if the food supply is adequate. In this case, the goldfinch will be nesting for almost two months.

Male American Goldfinch Perched

How do goldfinches build their nests?

The female goldfinch builds the nest, while the male goldfinch keeps watch for predators and rivals. Nest building can take anywhere from four to fifteen days, usually depending on the female’s level of experience.

The base of the nest consists of twigs and strips of bark firmly placed at the bifurcations of the limbs and held in place by spider silk. Once the exterior is complete, the females begin shaping and building the interior using fine roots and other plant fibers. Finally, the nest is lined with a soft material, usually gathered from thistles.

The finished nest is usually 8 cm in diameter, 7 cm high externally, and 5 cm internally diameter, 3.5 cm high.

When do baby goldfinch leave the nest?

Young goldfinches usually leave the nest 11-17 days after hatching. The incubation period of the eggs is 12-14 days. After the eggs hatch, the male brings food for the female to feed the young. After a few days, both parents will take over the feeding role, but by the time the chicks are ready to leave, the male has taken over most of the responsibility.

Closeup of American Goldfinch

How many litters does the American Goldfinch have?

American Goldfinch typically lays 1-2 clutches per season, ranging from 2-7 eggs per clutch. The number of eggs a female lays depends on her age, food availability, and when the pair is nesting.

Whether the couple has one or two litters in a year usually also depends on the factors mentioned above. If the first hatch is unsuccessful, the mated pair may proceed to a second nest, as long as it is not too late.

Do American Goldfinch nest in the same place every year?

American goldfinches will rarely nest in the same place for subsequent years. There are records of these birds reusing the nest for a second brood in the same season; however, this is also unusual.

Like most species, goldfinches prefer to build new nests to reduce the likelihood of mite infestation and detection by predators.

The birds will move nests during construction if the current nest is deemed unsuitable. Disturbance or lack of weather protection are factors that may lead to relocation.

American Goldfinch eating sunflower seeds in autumn

What do goldfinch eggs look like?

Goldfinch eggs are oval in shape and bluish-white in appearance. They occasionally have a faint brown spot on the larger end, but are more often a solid color. Eggs range in size from 1.62-1.69 cm long and 1.22-1.28 cm wide.

What month do goldfinch lay eggs?

The American Goldfinch is a late season breeder. Females usually lay their first eggs of the season in mid to late July. Dates usually depend on the woman’s level of experience. Birds that lay eggs for the first time usually build their nests later than birds that have had several previous broods.

Nesting numbers start to decrease in August but can continue into September, especially if a pair has a second litter.

American Goldfinch in flight, just taking off

Do Goldfinch Use Nest Boxes?

American Goldfinches do not use nest boxes or birdhouses. They pay special attention to where and how they build their nests. These birds prefer to nest in bushes or saplings in open areas with ample overhead cover.

Do American Goldfinches mate for life?

American goldfinches form monogamous pairs during the breeding season, but usually do not mate for life. They may spend the winter in groups with a mate, but usually re-pair with new mates during the next breeding season.