The dark-bellied birds come from Northern Russia (3,750 miles, 6,000km) and can be seen on the eastern side of the country. Goldfinches in the northernmost areas of their range do withdraw southward in winter. For goldfinches, teasels come into their own in autumn and winter when the seed heads dry out. You will find that if you leave some seeds on the lavender and evening primroses they will eat these during bad spells of weather in winter. This handsome little finch, the state bird of New Jersey, Iowa, and Washington, is welcome and common at feeders, where it takes primarily sunflower and nyjer. Many songbirds migrate at night and feed and rest during the daytime. ... After breeding and rearing chicks, flocks once again gather to migrate south in the fall. Goldfinches live throughout the UK, with the exception of the most mountainous parts of Scotland. Where do goldfinches live? The goldfinches' thin beaks are ideally suited for tweezering the tiny seeds from between the spikes. Goldfinches In Winter. In winter, when males and females alike are colored in subtler brown, flocks of goldfinches congregate in weedy fields and at feeders, making musical and plaintive calls. Most goldfinches spend the year in the UK, but some will leave for the winter, travelling as far south as Spain. It is not unusual for Goldfinches to migrate in winter. Birds & Birding. When the winter snow starts falling in many parts of the country, some backyard birds have already departed for warmer climates, while other birds are migrating into backyards from further north. By February, they are ready to make their incredible journey home, just in time for breeding season. Goldfinches often flock with Pine Siskins and Common Redpolls. Goldfinches are known for their stark, vibrant yellowy plumage, though you may have noticed that they seem to change colour – especially over the winter months. It is a permanent resident however the native population may be swelled by winter migrants from Europe. Their long fine beaks allow them to extract otherwise inaccessible seeds from thistles and teasels. The breeding male has a red face and a … In winter many UK goldfinches migrate as far south as Spain. Instead, it serves as an effective method for the bird to … The goldfinch’s that do migrate feel there will be a more plentiful supply of food in a better climate. The winter range stretches across the United States from northern California to the Carolinas all way into Mexico. A typical summer sight is a male American Goldfinch flying over a meadow, flashing golden in the sun, calling perchickory as it bounds up and down in flight.