A Surprise Zinnia Goldfinch Discovery
This year, in addition to the returning perennials and new annual plants, my wife had a pack of mixed zinnias. I think we had it left over from last year. She decided it couldn’t hurt to put them out in our baskets. It has turned out to be a pleasant zinnia goldfinch surprise! Let me tell you about it.
I’ll Just Plant a Few Seeds in Each Basket
The first surprise was how quickly they sprouted and grew. The second surprise was how huge they got very quickly. Before we knew it both of the baskets they had been planted in were small jungles! They reached at least two feet tall in a very short amount of time. The flowers were of many different colors and beautiful. Before too long we started doing regular pruning/deadheading just to keep them under control.
Not So Fast With That Pruning!
I think it might have been just a couple of days we let them grow. One day I looked out there and swear I saw some stalks moving. I looked closer and saw a goldfinch had landed on one of them and was trying to keep his balance. I thought he was just being curious and thought no more of it.
Then it started happening more and more frequently. I’d look out and see both male and female goldfinches ferreting around in the zinnia bushes. I figured they were just looking for bugs and again dismissed it.
The Conk on the Head
Finally, I started seeing goldfinches landing on the flower heads, pulling off the petals and pulling at the seeds on them. It started happening more and more. Brilliant me, I made the connection at last-LOL! Ever since then, we’ve been enjoying these antics on a regular basis.
My Advice For Your Own Zinnia Goldfinch Event
- If you can, go to your nearest garden store and pick up a small pack of zinnia seeds. That way you’ll have them ready in the spring when it’s time to plant them.
- Don’t sweat exactly when you plant them because they can be planted late and still bring you tons of enjoyment before fall sets in. We live in Tennessee but didn’t plant our seeds until June.
- If you want to prune for shape do it early.
- Once they reach two feet or more try to reduce your pruning and allow them to go to seed. This is the main reason the goldfinches are attracted to them.
- If you have to prune them remember they make beautiful indoor arrangements.
Have You Had a Zinnia Goldfinch Event This Year?
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Resources
Some other people who have had a similar experience with goldfinches and zinnias.
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We have Lesser Goldfinches in our garden (flock of about 50+) and surprising to us the love to eat the LEAVES of Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta), and Sunflowers!
What is so striking to me is that the leaf texture is quite rough…but they love it!
I have never witnessed American Goldfinches doing this.
Hi Judy,
Thank you for stopping by and sharing with us!
I had heard about many seed head flowers that goldfinches would go after. Especially sunflower. I had not had anybody tell me about their zinnias being attacked by them though-LOL! It does not surprise me that you haven’t seen American goldfinches doing this because they seem to prefer their sunflower seeds hulled-HA!
Where are you located? I see the Lesser goldfinch range seems to extend west mostly.
You’re very blessed to have 50+ of these. Have you been feeding long?
Jeff
Goldfinch gathering zinnia disk florets in august 2018
Hi Jim,
Do you have a picture of this you could email me?
Jeff
I just had 2 if the brightest yellow finches land on my single zinnia. They were so cute and I didnt want to move to snap a photo but wish I had. Been here 6 years and always have coffee outside to watch the birds… never saw that before. I will plant more zinnias next year for sure.
Donna from Connecticut shoreline.
Hi Donna,
So glad you decided to share about your zinnia goldfinch experience! I know what you mean about the photos. I had a hummingbird come and chirp at me not six inches in front of my face that would have made a GREAT shot. But at least I’ll never forget it.
I think you made a good choice not to disturb them and just watch. More people need to just be with their birds and not try to always maximize the experience. Just let nature unfold.
What else do you have in your yard on the CT shoreline?
Jeff
I have a flower garden consisting of sunflowers, cosmos and zinnia’s. The goldfinch are having a gourmet on the seeds of sunflowers and zinnia”s.. Woodpeckers and butterflies also. Really enjoying it!!
Hi Vern,
Thanks for stopping by and telling us about your neck of the woods! Where might that be anyway?
I still get a kick out of watching goldfinches pull the flower petals off so they can get to the good stuff-HA!
I’m assuming the woodpeckers are on the sunflowers?
Jeff
Hey Jeff!
I live in Shreveport, Louisiana. It’s the middle of February and we’re expecting over three inches of snow within the next twenty-four hours. The water in my birdbath is frozen at this moment, but the birds are still all around.
I love Zennias! I’ve been planting them in my front yard flower beds for a few years, making bigger beds each year. I usually clean them up at the end of blooming in November. I didn’t this time and I’m really glad. The chicadees are feasting on the dead heads! I wasn’t sure at first if that’s what they were after , until I saw one land on one and pull at the seeds.
That’s what brought me to your site. I Google everything and wanted to know for sure if that’s what they’re doing.
Just wanted to thank you for your post. From now on I will take what seeds I need and leave the rest for the birds winter meals.
Thanks!
Sandy
Hi Sandy,
So glad you found my site and that I could help! The only birds that picked through the zinnias were the goldfinches and an occasional chickadee or wren.
It’s amazing how helpful doing nothing can be for wildlife! We humans fuss and fret about trying to have the perfect lawn or sanctuary. The birds just want something good to eat somewhere they feel safe eating it.
Sounds like you’ve provided both and should be praised for caring enough to provide for them!
Jeff
Goldfinches absolutely tear up my zinnias to get at the seeds even though I have a bird feeder full of sunflower chips nearby! So I plant extra zinnias and cut spent blooms to encourage new flowers. Picky goldfinches keep me on my toes here in central North Carolina for sure. : )
Hi Elaine,
So glad to hear your goldfinches are gaga over your zinnias! I don’t think I’ve ever heard of them choosing them over chips-WOW!
Your enthusiasm is contagious and I know your goldies really appreciate it.
Enjoy your summer with them! Do they get a bit scarce in late August there?
Jeff
We just spotted a goldfinch on our zinnias for the first time, completely going at the petals and the core. Absolutely lovely!
Hi Mary,
Isn’t it hilarious to watch? You’d think they were carnivorous the way they tear them up-LOL!
Thanks for checking in and sharing. Do you have many zinnia plants?
Jeff
Finally saw our finches ripping off the zinnea petals! So fun !
Hi Alice,
Yes, the first time I saw it I thought I was seeing things or that it was just curious. Then others joined the fun. I knew I’d be entertained for many years to come. Glad you’ve taken the time to notice their antics and not being mad at the zinnia attack-LOL!
Jeff
Hi Jeff!
I have red and purple zinnias and saw a goldfinch attacking the biggest and redest zinnia, plus the sunflower that’s growing just next to the zinnias.
I live in Maryland.
Hi Cynthia,
Isn’t it a hoot watching them?! I remember the first time I saw one doing it I thought it was just making sure it wasn’t passing up a food source. He knew what he was doing and my wife and I both cracked up when we saw the pile of petals around the planter-LOL!
So yours prefer the red zinnias? We don’t have as many of those this year (the zinnia seed “mix” was not as mixed as it has been years hence) and ours our mainly white and yellow. Not as much activity as previous years.
Jeff
Hi Jeff, I live in SC on Buffalo Creek. Because it butts up to the Sumter National Forest we have a lot of deer and wildlife. To keep the deer from eating all of my flowers I have LOTS of pots on my deck so I can enjoy them. I have a pair of Goldfinches that have been going crazy the last month coming to my pots of Zinnia, Blackeyed Susans and Purple Cone Flowers. They come several times a day. This is my second year of them coming, but it just happened that last year I had put a garden flag out with Goldfinches on it so I guess they saw that as a “welcoming” sign. If you have an e-mail I can send you pictures of them and a crude birdbath that I made that has many different birds who stop by to take “baths” every day.
Hi Sherry,
It sounds like you’ve got a magical setting with all the goldies and other birds enjoying your space! Putting out the welcome flag was just the touch you needed-LOL!
I’d love to see your pics. As long as they’re not too big to get past your email provider you can just send them to help@birdoculars.com. If they are large, I can send you a Google Drive link for you to upload them.
Thanks again for your wonderful addition to our site!
Jeff
Hi Jeff ! I live in metro west Mass. I planted about six pots of different zinnia flowers this year by seed. I have noticed the last couple days that the goldfinches go on the flowers and pick at them and pull out the petals so funny to w atch. This is the first year I planted zinnias and next year I’m planning on doing the same but I’m going to try to find organic seeds hopefully I can find organic zinnia seeds
Hi Nina,
You’re in heaven! I can tell. Good on you for taking the time to plant the zinnias and I’m happy you’re seeing such fun returns! Those sweet little birds look like they’re on a mission when they set their minds to zinnias-LOL!
Thanks for helping to brighten all of our days!!!
I’ve not seen organic seeds to be honest but understand your interest to support the organic movement in any way possible. Let me know how you make out with those, will you?
Jeff
I did a Google search after watching a goldfinch sitting on one of my zinnias plucking the bright pink petals off the flower head this morning! What a treat to see! I got my binoculars for a better view. I only very rarely see goldfinches near my birdbath on my back porch here in Central Alabama. Thank you for you post!!
Hi Paulette,
Thanks for stopping by and joining into the discussion from central Alabama! Welcome!
I know it’s such a treat to watch them plucking at your zinnias! Talk about being on a mission! They look like the only thing they’ve been put on this planet to do is tear up zinnias-LOL!
So glad you’ve been able to watch them up close too. Do you have different colored zinnias and have you noticed they prefer one over the other?
Jeff
All of these shared Goldfinch sightings make me feel like a member of a club. I’ve only planted zinnias for the past two years and this summer the goldfinches have gathered to feed on them, just like you described I one day noticed them from the window.. Previously I only saw the finches on thistles. Was so happy to see them light on the beautiful (and yes, easy to grow) flowers. The zinnias are also attracting bees and monarch butterflies. I’ve failed to get photos so far but will keep trying.. How precious a shot it would be.. Thank you for sharing so much information.
Hi Dianne,
Thank you for stopping by and joining the Zinnea/Goldfinch club-LOL!
As you’ve discovered, the Goldfinches may have been the most comical but certainly only the tip of the entertainment iceberg. The butterflies and bees have been a pleasure to watch as well.
As soon as you can get some photos, give me another message here and I’ll find a way to get them from you, ok?
Enjoy all the joy you’ve brought to your back yard!
Jeff
Hi Jeff,
If I ever manage to get a photo of Zin & GF together I’ll be sure to let you know. They’re so quick to flit away but I noticed that they do indeed appear to eat the Z. petals as someone else co.mented. That’s fine. They’re worth it.
D.
That would be great, Dianne! Thank you so much!
Jeff
I’m in New Hampshire and have been enjoying, just the last few days gold finches, what appeared to be a couple on my zinnias. I looked up information, and landed on your site, because I wasn’t sure what they were doing as I saw the flower shake and petals fall. So fun to watch! I also thought it might be bugs on the flower. Just love my zinnias, they’re happy flowers and so glad the butterflies and birds like them too!
Hi Anne,
So glad you’ve been able to watch the little goldies having fun up in New Hampshire! And yes, zinnias are the happiest little flowers. It’s only right that they should share that with your goldfinches.
Thank you for stopping by and brightening our day! Where in New Hampshire are you?
Jeff
7/7/2022
Was doing alittle search on zinnia flowers and yellow finch birds and found your articles. Well that’s what we call them in our part of North Alabama. I’ve always planted Zinnias but this is the first year that the little yellow finch has found them and boy it’s been a party ever since! I let my zinna’ s get very tall and also plant mammoth sunflowers among them out by my patio. I can sit and watch the little birds feed off and on all day on the flowers and now that the sunflowers head has matured they are also loving the seeds of those also.
Hi Devona,
It is one of the funniest things to witness! They really seem like they’re having a great time, don’t they?
I think one of the things that really attracts them is they love THEIR OWN feeding sources, whenever possible. They don’t mind the bees or butterflies so it’s all good!
Jeff
I have had goldfinches pluck my zinnias and gerbera daisies bald. I love to watch them do it!! They’re very entertaining! Reading the comments here I think I should plant sunflowers next year. I never have bc I dont want to attract any more squirrels than we already have! Any variety better than others for the finches? I’m in MN, southern suburb of Minneapolis.
Hi Linda,
The first year we had zinnias we didn’t know what to expect. I had not heard of goldfinches attacking them comically like they do-LOL! It’s always great to meet another human who enjoys this playful bird!
I hate to say it but if you have sunflowers and squirrels you’re going to have squirrels in and on your sunflowers and you WILL attract them from miles around! It’s one of their favorite foods which is why people without baffles or squirrel-proof feeders (Brome) have so much trouble with them. You’re also very likely to attract many species of what I call nuisance birds (birds like grackles, for instance, that overtake feeders and feeding areas making it impossible for the birds you truly want to feed to feed) that will also move in in droves.
I also know sunflowers are beautiful and substantial. But if I were you, I would shop to find a clinging type (Beck’s, Songbird Essentials that you can hang from a pole system that has a baffle on it. If you can give goldfinches their own feeder system, all the better. I’ve seen time and time again that goldfinches will devour the same seed that I offer on a shared pole system if it allows them to have their own system.
Let me know what you decide and I’m sorry but maybe someone else can step up and talk about what variety of sunflower seed if it makes any difference.
Jeff
Hi Jeff !
I am responding to the message I sent you back on August 17, 2021.
I told you that I was going to try to find organic Zinnia seeds. I found packets of organic “wild flower”
mixes at Whole Foods. To my delight there are a lot of zinnia flowers within the mix! They are ready to
bloom at the moment. I do have a question though. My zinnia’s from last year grew really tall and got brown and crispy on the bottoms of the stems. I never cut off the dead flowers because I thought the birds would eat the seeds from the dead heads. (I don’t think they did) I’m not sure how to manage the flowers. Should I cut off the dead ones? At what point do the goldfinches like to eat the seeds?
Thanks Jeff ! Nina
Hi Nina,
Nice to see you back again! Hope all is well!
Zinnias are annuals so you just need to plant some more to get them going again. I’m not sure if it’s too late but I don’t think so.
Generally, once the flowers start blooming the goldfinches start getting interested in them. I’m glad the mix you got from Whole Foods had some in it. I don’t think they care about them when they start browning out and dying.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any more questions.
Jeff
I’m glad everyone else thinks the Zinnia thieves are so cute. I think the goldfinches are a nuisance! Spent all this money to decorate our yard for summer and now I have to fight off the darn birds. How do I stop the invasion!!!!!
Hi Diane,
I’m sorry you feel the way you do about the goldfinches. I can’t comment either on “stopping the invasion” as we put our Zinnias out for their beauty but enjoy the antics too. They’re really not destroying anything here. Even if you put up their favorite sunflower chips in a clinging feeder it doesn’t guarantee they won’t keep sampling your Zinnias.
I hope you can make peace with them. And I mean this sincerely.
Jeff
Stop the invasion? If your a nature lover, you would delight in it.
I don’t understand your feeling that way. Delight in nature, delight in the beautiful birds!
Share your bounty.
Thank you, Nina! You took the words out of my mouth!
I was able to catch one on my zinnias just a few days ago! So interesting!
??Catch one on video…not by hand! Lol!
Hi Tonia,
Thanks for making that distinction-LOL! My wife and I love watching them move from flower to flower as if there’s a grand scheme. Most of the time, they’re just hanging out on a flower trying to figure out what to do.
Enjoy their pranks!
Jeff
Just saw finches on our zinnias for the first time. Maybe because we had not planted them in the window box before. They seem to enjoy the red ones. We’re in eastern Massachusetts near the shore. Danvers to be precise. It’s been fun to see a different behavior from birds. Glad I found your site. Thanks , Judy and Joe
Thanks, Judy and Joe! It’s one of the things that keeps me feeding birds and squirrels. Being able to watch them in all their different pursuits never gets old. I’d love to see a pic of your goldfinches.
Jeff
I live in Wisconsin and saved a bright yellow Gerbera daisy over the winter inside . Repotted it and it’s awesome this year. (Wasn’t even sure it would survive!) . This morning there were 2 yellow finches on it tearing the leaves off. I sometimes have purple finches building nests in my hanging baskets but seldom yellow ones in my yard in town. Really neat to see!
Hi Sue,
Thanks for checking in with us about your latest green thumb/goldfinch victory! If it’s doing as well as you say it is you should have a LOT more of them soon.
Way to go!
Jeff
Just found your website from a very specifically worded Google search. Didn’t think I would find anything, but this is great! I’ve been selecting for deep red zinnias for a few years now and have a planting around my little patio. This morning I saw a very bright yellow bird sitting in them and just wondered what kind of bird it was. I went through several checklists before I searched using the word zinnia and found this perfect answer. I find this very exciting and plan to plant as many as I can next summer and maybe a few more now. Thanks for your work on this website!
Hello Jean,
So glad you found us! The goldfinches were just the icing on the cake when we planted the zinnias for the first time! Just remember that they’ll pull the flower petals off to get to the flower head. We’ve always found the “petal snowfall” very endearing, actually-LOL!
I think you’re in for a treat the rest of this summer and for those to come!
Thank you for your kind words!
Best,
Jeff
Hello Jeff!
I’ve written to you a while ago commenting on how I enjoy the goldfinches on my Zinnias.
I am so sad this year because as soon as my zinnia plants got to about 4 inches high, I have found that a ground hog has eaten up all of them! I was looking forward to the goldfinches this summer.
Nina 🙁
Hi Nina,
So sorry this has happened to you! We have them here as well and have seen burrowing but haven’t had too many plants destroyed. Could you plant some more in a large outdoor pot? They grow pretty quickly if you can find plants and not seeds.
Jeff
Hi Jeff,
The zinnias were in three pots on my deck which the
Ground hog had to climb up three flights of stairs to get to them! Must have been very hungry
Nina
Wow! The ones I’ve seen in my back yard are so incredibly timid. Even the ones as big as medium-sized dogs. All I have to do is look out my window at them as much as 50 or more feet away from me and they bolt under the fence. I have had a couple come all the way up to my patio but they don’t stay long and run if they even THINK they hear a sound. Never heard of this before. Thought they only ate what they encountered while burrowing.
Do you think any of that non-toxic animal repellent stuff might keep them from even climbing the stairs?
Hi Jeff,
I’m just going to plant some more seeds and hope he/she thinks theres no more plants to eat.
Wish me luck !
Nina
Hi Nina,
Sounds like a good plan! Let me know how you make out, will you?
Jeff
Hi my name is Jeannine we have a beautiful yard with many flowers my husband is a landscaper, he made the yard so something was blooming at all times. I have a wonderful display of black eyed Susan’s he planted and this one morning a Zinnia GoldFinch was eating the leaves for 20 mins I videoed it. He had a friend that came to eat looked like a finch but darker colors on him . But the first one was so bright yellow and black I knew what he/she was. At first I was so happy I could feed it but a week later my Susan’s look awful with no pedals. Any suggestions?
Also to give you an idea my yard is kinda designed to attract birds I have 20 bird baths, 23 hummingbird feeders so I have nest everywhere I just got to witness beautiful baby birds try to fly for the 1st time. Momma swiped by me made my hair fly up she came by so fast but for most part she left me alone
And they eventually flew too but I don’t wanna chase the bird off I just want to feet the zinnia something else . And I have no clue what to do !
Hi Jeannine,
WOW! You’ve got a birding planet in your yard! Congratulations!
Do you have a staff that manages this? LOL! I would be terrified to try to keep 20 bird baths clean! Let alone keeping up with 23 hummingbird feeders. I would be worried that things would get out of control in a hurry. As long as the birds aren’t in any danger of eating/drinking anything that’s not good for them, you’re good. I know I couldn’t possibly keep up with that number of baths and feeders.
In fact, I’ve got my seed feeders down right now because I spotted some house finches with the beginnings of the eye disease.
What baby birds did you get to see fledge and who swooped you?
If everything else is ok, I would try placing a chickadee chip feeder close to your house (outside a back door or window is best to discourage larger birds) with sunflower CHIPS. There is nothing they love more than that! Thistle is acceptable to them but if you’re trying to lure them away from your flowers you need a serious alternative.
I know how special you must feel having all these wonderful beings visiting you every day!
Let me know if there’s anything else I can answer for you. Way to go!
Jeff
I have had zinnia beds all my life. 60 years. I’ve never had trouble with golden finches until 2 years ago. I look about my window and it seems there’s a party going on with zinnias’ petals flying. So within a month I have no flowers left. Next year I might try netting over some of my zinnias. I miss my neighbors coming and getting bouquets of zinnias .
Hi Linda,
Yes, they can go to town on the zinnias and if I were wanting to preserve bouquets of them I might have to consider netting them. However, as I’m just happy to have them returning and staying happy in my yard, it’s no issue for me. And both my wife and I love laughing at them doing something purely for the fun of it-LOL!
Thank you for stopping by and telling your story and for providing a safe haven for your goldfinches!
Jeff
Hello ! Zinnia lovers. I purposely plant zinnias just to see the goldfinches !
Please be careful of netting. The first (and last) time I ever used netting in an effort to protect a crop (strawberries not zinnias) a baby bird got entangled in it and died. Maybe some sturdier type of ‘cage’ (hardware wire?) over most of your zinnias would save plenty for your neighbors and leave a few for your goldfinches to safely enjoy. Just a thought.
Hi Nina,
We also plant them for that reason. We love giving them options since they can be very picky eaters.
Thanks for coming back and talking to us!
Jeff
Hi Dianne,
Thank you for stopping by and for the excellent suggestion. Netting can be very treacherous for all species and something sturdier helps with footing.
Jeff
I m not happy watching a band of yellow finches
destroy my zinnias. With so much to eat, I wish they would leave the zinnias alone. I placed a feeder with oilers near by, but that didn t keep the entire band of finches from landing on the zinnias. Do you know how to keep the finches away?
Hi Maria,
Zinnias are just one of those things I’ve discovered goldfinches love. I’m sorry but other than taking down anything they like to eat and hoping that will keep them away, I don’t know of anything an animal lover would do to stop them.
I do know there are many people I’ve heard from who would love to have as many as you do. This is not meant as a criticism either. So many people have told me they’re just not seeing the numbers they used to. Many others say they haven’t had any for years.
Jeff
Hi Jeff;
I found your site in researching Goldfinches eating my zinnias. I live in the western suburbs of Chicago. I plant flowers in balcony boxes every year. This year I geared my flowers to attract hummingbirds, butterflies & bees. I was so delighted to see 3 goldfinches on my balcony in the flower boxes, hanging on the patio door screens. They were having a grand time. Keeps me & my 2 cats amused while they are pulling the petals off the zinnias and eating the seeds. I look for them every morning now. I also have a couple hummingbirds visit and lots of sparrows. I’ve taken lots of pics of the goldfinches! Not quick enough to catch one of the hummingbird.
When I told my sister I had to convince her that I had these finches plucking away at my zinnias. I can’t put out feeders as I live in a condo or I would be doing that too. Have a small birdbath that is enjoyed.
Goldfinches are known to be good luck. I feel lucky having them visit me.
Martha
https://www.birdoculars.com/wp-content/gallery/zinniagoldfinch/goldie.jpeg?i=2146656710
Hi Martha,
So glad you have these wonderful little visitors and that you found my site to tell us about it! We also love watching them and their antics!
I’d love to see one of the pics of them on your screen saying “good morning” to you! If you can send an email to: help at birdoculars.com, I’d love to see it.
Jeff
I’’m in Nashville, Tennessee. I went out to cut a few zinnias for a fresh flower arrangement and a little “yellow and black bird” quickly flew out from under them and darted into into the woods. It startled me. I’ve been growing zinnias for years and am use to the beautiful butterflies and bees they attract; however, this was first for me. I goggled what happened and found your page. I guess sweet little goldfinches are enjoying my zinnias, too.
Hi Amy,
I’m also in Nashville and just started having some late planted zinnias start to bloom. We also decided to grow some small sunflowers from plants that sprouted during the days of rains before I cleaned under the feeders. The goldfinches are just starting to pick at the flowering zinnias but have stripped the small sunflower plants completely. You’ve got to admit, watching them do this is about the cutest thing you can see, no?
Enjoy your backyard clowns and let me know how it all goes, will you?
Jeff
WOW! Just had my 1st goldfinch-on-zinnia sighting. Who knew? Well, apparently lots of you. This was where my search brought me. First a male and then along came a female. It was thrilling! They didn’t stay long but I’m excited by the prospect of more in the future. I only saw a few finches in the area last year, but this year there have been many more. I will certainly plant more zinnias next season in attempt to lure more in the future! Thanks for the education!
Hi Marti,
Very encouraging and so entertaining, you know?
Two questions: Where are you? What are you feeding in your yard?
Jeff
I’m in west Michigan. We have cardinals, house finches, the occasional hummingbird and, of course, bluejays (not a fan). This year, the jays seem less and more cardinals and goldfinches which is the goal. I’m now on a “no pick” kick for the zinnias to save for golds and saw the hummingbird hanging around them this morning as well. Delightful!
Hi Marti,
Thanks for the response. We have a male hummingbird who perches on a bare tiny branch on the zinnias where he oversees both of our hummingbird feeders-LOL! The funny part comes when it gets closer to migration here and the hummingbirds start to realize they’ll never make their 2500 mile trek if they don’t EAT. And stop all the fussing-HA!
Watching goldies pick through zinnias is about the sweetest thing you can witness. I agree.
Jeff
Hello – I’m located in upstate NY (near the southern Adirondacks), and this was my first year planting Zinnias. I did a whole bed at the end of my yard, they’re full of color and just gorgeous!! The butterflies and bees love them, which makes me so happy to see. Tonight was the first time I saw a goldfinch hanging out of one of the flowers! I went down to investigate, he is certainly going to town on them lol ? petals everywhere! I might clip the eaten ones back to hopefully encourage new growth for these last few weeks of summer, that way the finches can enjoy them into fall!! ?
Hi Sarah,
You’re experiencing the magic of goldfinches for sure! I still remember how outright comical it was watching them pick through them. Like they were on a mission.
And you’re spot on…clipping the eaten ones back should encourage them to stay curious about them. But nothing matches their enthusiasm in tearing every single petal off the flowers-LOL!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Let me know if I can help you with anything further.
Best,
Jeff
I wasn’t able to plant zinnias (in Michigan) this year but now in late August the goldfinches have started coming to a big thistle in the yard and have been feasting on the tiny black seeds, discarding the fluffy part much as they do with zinnia petals.. The attached photo shows 4 of them (top & bottom left and right).
Hi Dianne,
So glad you were able to get the late interest in the thistle. Watching the goldfinches for me is just a very calming and connecting thing. Thank you for the pics you included in this post. Love them!
Do you know how much longer you expect to have them there in Michigan? We have them year round in Tennessee but they only come for sunflower chips when it gets cold. Otherwise, they’re usually able to find what they need in nature. I have two upside-down thistle feeders with fresh seed in them that haven’t been touched since I cleaned them and refilled them more than a month ago.
We did have some working on our zinnias but made short work of them.
Thank you for showing us what’s going on in your world!
Jeff
Hi Jeff,
Thank you for your response and all the helpful and interesting info you share.
I thought the goldfinches would be leaving when the thistles were depleted or winter arrived, otherwise moving on to a neighbor’s zinnias but have since learned that they may be year-round here too. I will experiment with an upside down feeder or sunflower chips this winter and see.
They certainly are a joy to watch but so hard to photograph. The 4 I snapped the photo of took a long time to settle down on the same bush but finally found perches with ample space between them.
Hi Dianne,
I’m glad you’ve still got them around your neighbor’s zinnias! They are such a joy to watch. And yes, photographing them needs some advanced equipment to get time lapses and stuff. They are just VERY, VERY active when they set their sights on your flowers.
You should be able to either google or go to Amazon and search for “upside down finch feeder” but the feeder I recommend for goldfinches is actually a Beck’s chickadee feeder. If you have feeders the house finches and others can get what they want from, putting out safflower in a clinging type feeder should get you a TON of goldfinches this winter. Unfortunately, my own experience with thistle feeders is that goldfinches WILL eat from them if there’s nothing else. The upside down feeders restrict most of the house finches too. But goldfinches LOVE sunflower chips above all else!
Let me know if you need any more help with this. I’m looking forward to hearing of your immense success feeding them this fall/winter!
Jeff