What Do Yellow Finches Eat?

The yellow finch, or saffron finch, is a type of European goldfinch that is found throughout Europe, Asia and Africa, as well as everywhere in the United States. Finches consume a seed-based diet that varies with the season and availability of food.

  1. Favorite Foods

    • Finches favor safflower and thistle seeds, but will eat whatever seeds are available. They will act carnivorous at times, eating small worms and larvae. Baby finches eat regurgitated seeds fed to them by both parents.

    Meat Eaters, Too

    • During the summer months, finches are more likely to eat meat; in the wintertime, seeds are the staple. Finches naturally increase consumption of live green food during mating season.

    Considerations

    • Yellow finches often are kept as pets, and in addition to foods previously mentioned, should be fed sprouted barley seeds, millet, broccoli tops, lettuce and spinach. Offer live food daily to determine how often your finch requires it.

    Water

    • Finches need to drink clean, fresh water daily. They should have a filled water dish at all times.

    Fun Fact

    • Wild finches may change color depending upon their diet. Diets high in beta-carotene produce yellow to orange coloring, while diets high in the pigment echinenone produce red plumage.