Unlike many birds that nest in spring, American Goldfinches delay breeding until mid-to-late summer when their favorite fluffy plant seeds (like thistle) are abundant.
Goldfinch females build compact, cup-shaped nests using plant fibers, spider silk, and fluffy down from milkweed and thistles, making them soft and wind-resistant.
Goldfinches are mostly monogamous for a season. Males woo females with song-filled chases and a special "butterfly flight" display.
The female lays 4-6 pale blue eggs and incubates them for about two weeks while the male brings food.
Goldfinch parents feed their chicks regurgitated seeds, making them one of the few birds that rarely eat insects, even during nesting season.
Nests are placed high in shrubs or trees, well hidden in dense foliage to keep predators at bay. The silk they use makes the nest so tight that it holds water like a cup!
After hatching, the male helps feed and guard the nestlings, while the female might start another nest—sometimes with a new mate!
Goldfinch chicks fledge in about 12-17 days, practicing their fluttery flights before becoming independent seed-seekers.
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