Where Do European Goldfinches Nest?
What does Goldfinch Nest look like?
What time of year do goldfinches nest?
How long do goldfinch nests?
How do goldfinches build their nests?
When do baby goldfinch leave the nest?
How many broods does a goldfinch have?
Will the goldfinch return to the same nest?
What do European goldfinch eggs look like?
What month do goldfinch lay eggs?
Do Goldfinches Nest in Bird Boxes?
While the Goldfinch is almost always blushing, it’s not an embarrassment in their family. These beautiful birds create some very neat nests and there is a good chance that goldfinches will be nesting in your garden. Let’s take a tour of a goldfinch’s nest in this complete nesting guide, shall we?
Goldfinches start nesting in late March and continue to build until September. They build a very neat and compact nest out of moss, grass, wool and hair. The cups are deep to protect the 3-7 eggs they lay in each clutch.
We’ve only scratched the surface of the nesting habits of the goldfinch. As we shall see, it has a very interesting nesting habit, unlike many other birds.
European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) like to nest in loose colonies. So if you have a nesting pair of goldfinches in your garden, there is a good chance there are others in the same area.
They nest in areas with sparse trees and hedges, so there is a good chance of seeing nesting goldfinches in the garden.
| Key Facts About Goldfinch Nesting | |
|---|---|
| nesting season | April to August |
| nesting material | Grass, moss, plant fibers, down, animal hair, cobwebs, feathers |
| nested type | small compact cup |
| nest location | trees, hedges and shrubs |
| brood number | two, occasionally three |
| clutch size | 5 eggs |
| egg color | Pale blue and white, or gray-purple with red spots |
| egg size | 17 x 13mm |
| egg weight | 1.5 grams |
| incubation period | 12 days, by female |
| fledgling period | 13 – 18 days after hatching |
| reuse nest | No, but will return to the same breeding ground after successful brooding |
| using nest boxes | rare |
Goldfinch’s nest with chicks inside
Where Do European Goldfinches Nest?
Goldfinches like to nest in areas with scattered trees and some hedges or shrubs. So our gardens are actually the perfect environment for goldfinches to nest. You may see some goldfinches nesting in the hedges and along the edges of the fields.
Many small birds like goldfinch prefer to nest in densely covered areas, but goldfinches don’t. Instead, they strategically place their nests among the branches and leaves at the ends of swaying branches a few meters above the ground.
That’s why their dens have to be extremely well built to withstand the elements.
Goldfinch sitting on the nest
What does Goldfinch Nest look like?
Goldfinches are very clever at hiding their nests from predators. They often choose wobbly twigs for their nests, so the nest cups must be woven with great precision to keep the eggs safe. It is also very deep, which can ensure that the eggs are laid, and the chicks will not fall out of the nest in windy days.
The interior of a goldfinch nest looks very typical of a bird’s nest. It is a deep cup-shaped structure. However, it is believed that the exterior of the nest is used to provide camouflage. They make the interior of their nests out of grass, twigs, moss, hair and wool. Then they cover the outside with lichen and moss. It is believed that the goldfinch does this to allow the nest to blend into the tree.
European goldfinch nest with eggs inside
What time of year do goldfinches nest?
Goldfinches build their nests between April and August. However, they start nesting at the end of March in preparation for the nesting season. Also, some chicks are still in the nest in September. Therefore, the goldfinch nesting period is generally considered to start in late March and last until early September.
How long do goldfinch nests?
Goldfinches usually nest between April and August, but some will continue until early September. It all depends on when their young are ready to leave the nest.
Most goldfinches will try to hatch twice a year, some will try three. Each has a maturity period of about 18 days. So if goldfinch successfully breed three broods in one year, they will likely stay in the nest until September.
Goldfinch perched on a hazelnut tree
How do goldfinches build their nests?
Goldfinch nests are made from a variety of materials, including moss, twigs, grass, lichen, wool, and hair. It has a deep cup for eggs to snuggle into.
The shape of a goldfinch’s nest is very typical of a standard bird’s nest. What’s interesting, however, is the structure and how they ensure its security.
Goldfinches build their nests with great precision. They will interweave all the materials they will use, making sure it is neat and strong. They then attach it to the tree, usually using spider silk.
This is because these birds build their nests at the ends of swaying branches. So, they anchor the nest to a tree to make sure it doesn’t collapse.
Goldfinch nesting material collection rope
When do baby goldfinch leave the nest?
Young goldfinches leave the nest about 18 days after hatching.
The female goldfinch stays on the eggs for about 12 days. After hatching, young goldfinches stay in the nest for 13-18 days. Afterwards, the young goldfinches in the surrounding area flocked to forage.
Juvenile Goldfinch perched on a branch
How many broods does a goldfinch have?
Goldfinch will usually try to have two litters per year, but some will have three. Typically, a goldfinch will only attempt three broods if one of the first two broods is unsuccessful. If the goldfinch does have a successful third brood, you may see chicks in the nest in early September.
Will the goldfinch return to the same nest?
Goldfinch typically do not use the same nest year after year. If they successfully nested the previous year, they will return to the same nesting grounds but build another nest. In fact, some sources claim that goldfinch won’t even use the same nest for a second brood. Instead, they build a whole new nest for each litter.
goldfinch in winter
What do European goldfinch eggs look like?
Goldfinches lay small white eggs covered with reddish-brown spots. They are about 17mm high and 13mm wide. Typically, females lay 3-7 eggs per clutch.
What month do goldfinch lay eggs?
Goldfinches start laying eggs in April and incubate on the eggs for 12-13 days. They will try to hatch two broods per season, so once the eggs have hatched and the chicks have feathered (about 18 days after hatching), they will have a brood.
European Goldfinch feeding three hungry chicks in nest
Do Goldfinches Nest in Bird Boxes?
Goldfinches are not inclined to use bird boxes because they are not hollow nesters in the wild. A small nest box may encourage them to nest, but this is rare. However, if you have a tree or some large shrubs in your garden, these will be ideal sites for goldfinch nests.
Expert Q&A
question
How long does it take captive goldfinches to nest?
The BirdFact team
Goldfinches typically take about a week to build their nests, and in captivity this should be a similar time frame, if not slightly faster.
The best available materials include coconut fiber, jute, cotton sheets, absorbent cotton, etc.
It is also recommended to provide two nesting sites at opposite ends of the cage so that a suitable preferred site can be selected.
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