As the nesting season winds down and fall colors begin to appear, Goldfinches molt.  That is, they replace their worn, tattered feathers with a set of fresh, new feathers.

The appearance of males changes drastically at this time.  The brilliant yellow body feathers are replaced by dull brownish plumes, and the striking black cap disappears. Females also molt, but their appearance doesn't change.

Goldfinches wearing drab winter plumage flock to birdfeeders.  Keep Finch feeders out all year long and enjoy their bright colors during warmer months.

Unlike most other birds that come to our feeders, Goldfinches eat seed almost exclusively.  In fact unlike many other Finches, Goldfinch chicks are fed few, if any insects. They instead get the same seeds their parents eat.  When a parent returns to feed its young, its crop is full of partially digested seed, enough to feed the whole brood. Because of the amount of food brought each time, the young are only fed twice each hour.  Perched at and around the feeders, Goldfinches eat seed after seed.

Many people complain "Finches" don't eat the seed at the bottom. This is because it keeps getting packed down and draws moisture when you always fill from the top. Remember to dump out and mix of old seed in the bottom of the feeder and replace with new seed.

One of the keys to keeping Goldfinches around is to eliminate their need to compete.  Goldfinches will often just give up and fly away when other species crowd around a feeder.