The Magnificent Bird You Can Attract To Your Yard With Native Gardening

Since 1970, North America has lost close to three billion birds. That is a big number — almost one out of every four. The primary reasons? Habitat loss, along with the use of pesticides and other factors. This is where our gardens can come in to help, at least for the birds that still have healthy numbers, such as the goldfinch. Plants are crucial for goldfinches because their diet is primarily plant-based. Plus, a goldfinch is definitely the type of bird you want in your yard. Its presence is not just a treat for the eyes; its call is music to the ears too. 

Unlike grackles, blue jays, gulls, and other birds you do not want to see in your yard, goldfinches have a social nature and are calm, trustful, and friendly. So, how do you attract them to your garden? Start by going native as it is one of the simplest and most effective ways. Native wildflowers and grasses that produce seeds are your best bet. Think sunflowers, coneflowers, thistles, asters, and goldenrods. They are all great choices that will bring magnificent goldfinches into your garden.

When it comes to attracting birds to your garden, native plants work the best because they have coevolved with the birds. They give our flying friends just what they're looking for: food in the form of fruit, seeds, and sweet nectar. By contrast, gardening with non-native ornamentals often misses the mark and offers little to no benefit for the local birds. If you want a garden that goldfinches cannot resist, add native plants to your garden and wait for the magic. Take thistles, for example. Not only do goldfinches love munching on their seeds, but they also use the soft down from the plant to line their nests. 

If you would rather banish thistle weeds from your yard, there are plenty of other native seed plants you can add to attract goldfinches. Seed plants work the best because these beautiful birds are specialist seed feeders. Their fine beaks are made for picking seeds straight from the plants. Other seed plants that can attract goldfinches include teasels, dandelions, and millet. Seeds are so important for goldfinches that they even feed them to their newborns rather than soft, juicy insects high in protein. Another beneficial flower to include in your native garden for goldfinches are sunflowers since the seeds are one of their favorite foods. It may be tempting to deadhead all of these plants, but doing so will keep the goldfinches away. So, hold your shears and clippers and let the plants go to seed.