Click here to hear the Goldfinch singing

Backyard birdwatchers in North Florida will hear the American Goldfinch a few weeks before it shows itself.

Its song is distinct and unmistakable: a short "sweee-eep" that brightens the new leaves of deciduous trees, announcing a change of season for Floridians.

In North Florida, late March or April is the time American Goldfinches  arrive from their winter migration.

I had them here starting late February.

Thistle (niger) or hulled sunflower will attract these lovely birds, who feed almost exclusively on seed.

Thistle is preferred because it is less expensive and discourages the opportunistic Grey Squirrels, who crave sunflower seeds and constantly raid my feeders.

I throw seed on the ground away from the feeders for them :)

At first, one or two birds will alight, silent as air and with remarkable speed from nearby shrubs, oaks or wild olive trees.

At this time, the males will not have taken on their bright breeding plumage, and except for spots of emerging yellow on the back, will look similar to the dull olive colored females.

One day they were suddenly gone, but they will return next year.

They have gone to the northern states for the summer

 I look forward to their return! :)

Goldfinches

Linger awhile upon some bending planks

That lean against a streamlet's rushy banks,

And watch intently Nature's gentle doings:

They will be found softer than ring-dove's cooings.

....................................

Sometimes goldfinches one by one will drop

From low hung branches; little space they stop;

But sip, and twitter, and their feathers sleek;

Then off at once, as in a wanton freak:

Or perhaps, to show their black, and golden wings,

Pausing upon their yellow flutterings. ~~

jOHN kEATS