Birder’s Notebook by Bob Andrini; 28 January Entry. Being in the right place at the right time is very essential in birding.
We had been out all morning looking for winter birds and came home just at the ‘right time’. Walking into the dining room and looking at our feeders, we noticed a very whitish bird feeding with the American goldfinches – and with binocs identified it as a European goldfinch.
The field marks are unmistakable: red face; black on top of head and back of neck; yellow wing bar. I had just enough time to snap about 8 pictures before the birds all flew off. This happened one other time for us (right time, right place) when another European goldfinch visited us exactly 10 years ago in January.
In 2003 the first sightings of these birds started appearing in Illinois. The best guess was that they were released caged birds. Since that time, they have set up breeding populations in Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana.
Keep your feeders full and keep and eye on them and you might also get a pleasant surprise. Below are pictures taken in 2010 and this week – in the recent pictures the bird was on the wrong side of the thistle sac and didn’t allow a good view.
I live in Waukegan, IL, just south of the Wisconsin border. For the last 4 to 5 years I have had European Goldfinches at my feeder in the spring. Usually just 1 or 2 birds. They eat the black oil sunflower seeds. They hang around to a day or 2, up to a week at most. Then they are gone & I don’t see them again until the next spring. I have never read that they migrate, but I only see them when the early migrants are returning. Does anyone have any idea what is going on with them? I have read that there is a breeding population in Racine, WI, but don’t understand why I see them here and only see them in the spring.
I also live in Waukegan and just saw 2 for a few days at my feeder. I searched my bird app to ID it and had to download a second app before I could! Definitely the European Goldfinch, they’re pretty distinctive. Found an article in the Daily Herald from 2016 about them in the area. What a treat!
I just saw a European Goldfinch at my feeder today. I had no idea they were in the area. Peterson’s 7th edition says they are likely escaped pet birds. But sounds like there are breeding populations in Illinois. In any case, what a treat to see something different at the feeder. I got some great photos too!
July 2, 2021
Saw a European Goldfinch in Lake Forest, Illinois today.
I have observed that both European Goldfinches and American Goldfinches are itinerant at my feeders, visiting every day for two weeks and then disappearing for two. That being said, I have European Goldfinches at my feeders on a regular basis in Waukegan, particularly in the winter months. Today the usual pair visited the feeders and was joined by an immature Goldfinch, presumably their offspring. European Goldfinches are reported regularly on ebird for the Waukegan/ Zion Lakefront.
We have had them at our safflower feeder for the last week or so in Wauconda.
I saw a Male European Goldfinch at my thistle feeder today along with the Common Redpoles and American Goldfinchs. Took quite a while to identify as it’s not a native and the most common apps dont count them I guess. This was a first for me; they are unmistakable. I live in Lake Villa Il … 20 miles from Lake Michigan and just south of the Wisconsin border. What a treat!
We just had two European Goldfinches visit our thistle feeder today in Geayslake. It’s the first time we’ve seen these birds at our feeder. Was lucky enough to catch a series of photos before they flew off. Very beautiful birds.
We were visited by two European Goldfinch today in Waukegan. Absolutely beautiful song and stunning to look at. What a treat.
I live in Waukegan, IL and have had European Goldfinches coming to my feeders for about 10 years now. Usually at the end of March, early April. Though one year I did have juveniles at my feeders in the summer. This year they have been staying longer and have been at the feeders for about a week now. They have been eating safflower seeds and a no-waste mix. Yesterday I actually had four of them fighting over the food! That’s the most I’ve seen at any given time.
They have actually become very common. I used to have imported European goldfinches as pets, so I am very familiar with their song. In the past 2 weeks I have seen pairs of them in Wadsworth and Vernon Hills. I actually heard the males singing first and was then able to figure out where they were calling from. All of them I saw were actually flying around the trees surrounding 2 separate parking lots, they weren’t even at feeders.
My brother and I were riding bikes through the Middlefork Savanna in Lake Forest this evening and saw about 10 European Goldfinches. What an amazing treat! July 23, 2022
I’m seeing a lot of goldfinches today at my thistle feeder in Gurnee, IL–just south of the WI border. Last summer, the European goldfinches were at the thistle for weeks at a time, then young ones came also. They seemed to bully the American goldfinches some, and then I didn’t see them at all in the later summer or fall. I keep looking for them to come again–never have seen them before last year.
Saw 10 yesterday morning feeding on seeds of an ornamental tree. Woodstock, IL
I like in Lake Zurich, IL and saw two at my feeder eating black oil sunflower seeds! Breathtaking!
daily visitors to nyger feeders (and surrounds) in my Lincolnshire yard or the last few weeks
We’ve had European Goldfinches coming to our feeding stations for about a month. They’re usually here early in the morning and around dinner time. They mingle with the Cardinals, American Goldfinches, Chickadees, House Wrens, House Finches, and House Sparrows. This past week, we’ve had a pair bring their fledglings to the feeding station.
We have had a pair visit every year for the last 3 years in Grayslake, IL. We usually first notice them in early March, and they regularly visit our feeders every day until mid to late July. This year they were a bit early – we first spotted them about a week ago. And – like always- they’ve been back each day. Initially they were feeding on the Nyjer seed, but now seem much more interested in a seed blend (Valley Splendor “Nutcracker Tweet”). It’s always a joy when they show up!
I wish I could post pictures (they’ve been kind enough to pose for me!). They are amazing looking birds!
9)uGeorge, I live in Georgia. I read your post about the European Goldfinches .
Is there any way my wife and I could come see the Birds you have at your feeder ?
I would like to thank you in advance…George Kimberly
Just had my first sighting of the European goldfinch today in Downers Grove. Awesome looking bird!
Saw a European goldfinch this morning for the first time at my backyard feeder in Vernon Hills. I had to look it up, as I didn’t recognize this beautiful bird!
We just had 2 European Goldfinches at our feeder this eve 5/12- Lake Bluff, IL
Made Mother’s day that much more special. They are beautiful. Had 2 last year also – wonder if they’re the same 2.
I saw two of them on my birdfeeder around 15th of May and again on June 1st 2024. Its not on my Cornell bird app and not in my big book of “Birds of North America “. I was very frustrated in my search until I saw them on YOU YUBE. Hopefully the birds come back every two weeks or so.
Just saw my first European Goldfinche in Waukegan.
I believe I have a European Goldfinch at my feeder right now here in Waynesboro, VA!
i nead have one male and female im from worth il 60482 708-448-2658
12/25/2024 Out for a Christmas Day walk with my daughter in Prairie Crossing neighborhood in south part of Grayslake, IL and saw a group of maybe 10 or so popping around in a Juniper tree along the trail near Osage Orange Rd. I was a bit perplexed as I hadn’t seen this bird or heard this song before… thought it could be a Redpoll or Kinglet as those are the only birds I know that flash red on the head, but the body colors just didn’t match (nor the time of year for the Kinglet)… Went home and checked my books and decided it must be a European Goldfinch, but wasn’t sure that was possible. Upon further research and messaging neighborhood chat room, found that they have been breeding in the area between Chicago and Milwaukee for some time now and occasionally visiting area feeders. Was thrilled to get this addition to my life list as a Christmas present (without a European vacation!)… and experiencing it with my daughter was icing on the cake!
Here’s the most recent paper on the history and status of European Goldfinches in the upper midwest: https://neobiota.pensoft.net/article/97736
Just saw about 6-8 European goldfinches in the trees at Falcon Field near the corner of Frederick rd and atchinson rd in Grayslake. Couldn’t believe it!
I had two visit to my birdbuddy in Round Lake Illinois. They are very pretty birds.
Had a European Goldfinch at the suet feeder this afternoon. My first sighting.Beautiful bird. Libertyville,Il
We had our 1st sighting of 2 European Goldfinch 2 day’s ago and we were so excited to welcome these special and beautiful birds to our thistle bag feeder! Thank God for Google search, I was going nuts trying to find these guys on the regular Audubon App for our home in Long Lake, IL. They are now visiting us numerous times a day and we can’t stop watching for them! What a cool experience!