Do you remember the golden rays of sunshine in the backyard and the colorful visitors in the garden? It’s too bad if you do not have any goldfinches in your yard. These selective birds are trying to say something, and we have to decipher their message.

1. The Nyjer seed you have may be last year's batch.

Nyjer seeds are as unappetizing as that old fruitcake that just sits in your pantry. They are slow to attract goldfinches and your grandma won't spot a clearance sale. The new seeds at your local store have been sitting in a hot warehouse and will cause your goldfinch stop feeding to get all weedy to avoid your goldfinch buffet.

2. The Old Metal Feeder Is Sending Out Secret Alert Signals

The old metal feeder might remind you of when you went to your grandma's house and some of the feeders look like they came from that era, but they also give off a lot of signals that will be noticed by your grandma's house and some of the feeders look like they came from that era. The rusty or sun-heated metal feeder gives off vibrations that goldfinches can detect from a yard away [5]. Goldfinches are very sensitive to vibrations and can pick them up their feet more firmly than you could with your old rabbit ear antenna trying to capture the evening news.

3. What You're Missing During Their Favorite Shower Time (And It's Not What You Think)

Goldfinches are highly accurate at identifying water sources. For some reason, teenagers go take a shower during the middle of the afternoon, but goldfinches search for water at a specific time when dew evaporates. From 9:15 to 10:30, they go look for water, which is just as accurate as when your mom sets a timer for how long the coffee needs to brew.

4. The perch extensions are 'helpful' but actually are scaring them away.

Your DIY perch additions are about as welcome as your uncle's home improvement tips during Thanksgiving. With the original equipment added, they have everything they need. Adding extra perches is like putting training wheels on a Harley Davidson, totally embarrassing.

5. Wondering how your neighbor is luring in almost 3x as many goldfinches as you?

As you try to make your yard magazine quality, your neighbor's more wild garden is actually a paradise for goldfinches. The dandelions and native thistles you've been fighting against are a five star restaurant for these finches. Great hospitality means things can be a little more messy than normal. Think about your aunt's living room where everyone felt comfortable putting their feet up.

6. Your Morning Gardening Habit Is Making Them Concerned

When a gardener prunes very early in the morning, it is more of an accomplishment for the gardener than a disturbance to the goldfinches, who are trying to eat their breakfast. Goldfinches eat breakfast closer to +11 AM, meaning a 6 AM prune will be like a vacuum cleaner during Sunday footbal l games. It may be productive, but it is inconsiderate.

7. The Height Of Feeders Being "Perfect" Is Not Correct

While it may make it easier for you to watch the show, mounting the feeder at your eye level is giving your goldfinches feeder anxiety. These shy feeders like their feeders positioned at a height of about 7 to 8 feet so they can see clear views. Imagine the corner booth at the diner where you can see the entrance and the dessert case.

8. Weeds You Keep Pulling (That They Are After)

The chickweed you've battled since the Carter Administration? That’s goldfinch caviar. These birds are like your granddad who knew every wild berry patch in the county – they remember *every* food source. While your weeds have disappeared, you have created a food desert for the finicky foragers of the neighborhood association.

9. Your Answer to the Cause of Squirrel Issues is Causing a Larger Problem

That elaborate anti-squirrel contraption you rigged up? It's about as welcoming as your old high school's dress code. While it might keep the bushy-tailed bandits at bay, it's also sending goldfinches searching for a more relaxed dining establishment. Sometimes the cure is worse than the disease – like those plastic couch covers that were supposed to protect the furniture but made everyone too uncomfortable to sit down.

10. The Petty Color Mistake That\'s Causing Them to Go Next Door

The dark green feeder you chose to match your landscaping? To a goldfinch, it's practically camouflaged! These birds are drawn to bright yellow just like your aunt is to QVC specials. Your feeder color scheme is like putting out a closed for business sign.

11. Your Clean Feeder has another hidden enemy.

Is cleaning your feeder really good enough for finch standards? Actually, Goldfinches can find dirty feeders just like your mom can find dust! So, cleaning your feeder with just water is not going to clean it. You cleaned your feeder the same way someone would clean a window with a newspaper. Technically, you did something, but it doesn’t count.

12. They detect your garden chemical you thought was safe.

Your garden treatments and organic pesticides smell bad. Even your grandfather could smell a storm coming. Birds are sensitive to the scents of pesticides and even avoid the traps that your uncle ignored at Thanksgiving. Their sense of smell is better than your mother's smoke detector that went off when she made toast, and they probably ignore your treatments.

13. The Time of Day When You Accidently Block Their Feast

We understand you might think of maintaining your yard in the evenings, but you are interrupting one of the main dining periods. In the last two hours of sunlight, the goldfinches are busy stocking up on seeds. Imagine a family rushing to an all-you-can-eat buffet just before closing — that is what is happening with the goldfinches. And in those very hours, you are outside with your garden shears, believing the goldfinches are just being indifferent to your yard.