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Birds are source of joy and inspiration all year round - they cheerfully go about their business regardless of the weather. Simply provide food, water and shelter in your yard, and you can enjoy the antics of our feathered friends from the comfort of your own home.

My current bird obsession includes American Goldfinches and Carolina Wrens. Why are there so many of these little cuties in my backyard at this time of year, you ask? Come along and find out!

The right plants.

Birds love my backyard because I have an abundance of seed-, nectar-, and fruit-bearing plants! A couple years ago I ordered a number of bird-friendly perennials from Missouri Wildflowers Nursery including Coral Honeysuckle and several varieties of coneflowers. Read on to find out why! 

Honeysuckle vines.

Why (I think) hummingbirds love Coral Honeysuckle:

• Hummingbirds are attracted to red.
• Hummingbirds love nectar.
• Hummingbirds appreciate the convenient perch!

Running for cover!

Additional benefit: Carolina Wrens.

I ordered the Coral Honeysuckle specifically to attract hummingbirds, but this year I learned of another benefit: A family of Carolina Wrens was using the thick tangle of leaves and vines as cover (see above).

When I first discovered this group of adorable birds, I spent a good hour trying to keep up with them! I watched as they darted in and out of hiding places: under and around the deck, rocks, leaves, bushes, and of course, the honeysuckle.

Birds love a messy garden!

. . . wrens run, hop, and flit around leaf litter and tangled vegetation; they dodge in and out of dark spaces created by downed trees, decaying logs, old stumps, and upturned roots. ~All About Birds

Hiding place.

Gardening is for the birds

According to Project FeederWatch:

Landscaping for birds doesn't have to involve buying plants and maintaining a garden. There are several things you can do with the habitat you already have to make it more bird friendly - and they all involve less work [emphasis mine]. Leaving a designated area of your lawn unmowed is a great way to cultivate wildflowers and grass seeds, which birds and pollinators will love. Letting flowers go to seed and leaving leaves unraked in a portion of your yard will provide seeds for birds through the winter and attract insects, which will also attract birds. Having a "messy" yard (or at least messy areas) is excellent for birds!

While we are on the topic of wrens . . .

You may have noticed in some of my recent mini paintings (see The Searcher 2, top of page) that the sunflower leaves are full of holes. Those are not the result of insects, but the birds themselves. I thought it odd when I noticed Carolina Wrens picking at the sunflower leaves, so I did some research. I learned they are likely looking for insects (wrens are primarily insectivores). 

For your amusement, I've created a short video (27 seconds) of mama wren wrestling a caterpillar to feed her baby. (click the arrow below to watch):

American Goldfinches love sunflowers. 

The Goldfinches have been enjoying the bounty from my sunflowers - and I've discovered the easiest way to cultivate these giant blooms. 

I usually allow only "no mess" birdseed in the feeders located in my flower garden. Every summer I make an exception: I place a feeder filled with black oil sunflower seeds in a sunny and open location and I allow the birds to do the rest - in their messiness they sow the seeds for me!

I will let the seedlings grow into sunflowers rather than pulling them out with the other weeds. This year my tallest sunflower reached nine feet tall!

Keep it messy.

I don't cut back my sunflower heads until every seed has been gleaned by the Goldfinches. 

Leaf-eaters.

I also learned that American Goldfinches (strict vegetarians) are the main culprits creating holes in the leaves - they eat the leaves for their nutritional value!

Goldfinches also love coneflowers.

When I let my flowers go to seed, I am rewarded with a constant parade of American Goldfinches!

Little Double Cap, July 27, 2025

One more interesting fact about Goldfinches.

American goldfinches live an average of 3 to 6 years in the wild, but they can live up to 10 years. 

I've come to recognize two male Goldfinches that have been visiting my backyard since 2023 (that was the first year I grew sunflowers). Look at my photo of the Goldfinch, above. I call him "Little Double Cap" for the extra splotch of black behind his cap. That photo was taken just two weeks ago.

Now look at the photo below, captured in 2023. I believe it's the the same little guy! That means Little Double Cap has visited my Sunflowers three years in a row! No wonder I've come to recognize him! 

Little Double Cap, July 2, 2023

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 A work of art which did not begin in emotion is not art.

~Paul Cezanne 

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And then there's Fluffy Cap. 

I'm realizing that I've painted this cutie many times! The painting below is from a "photo shoot" in 2025. Not only is his black cap fluffy-looking, but it's also rather short (basically just covers his forehead).

 

Pink Umbrella - Fluffy Cap, June 24, 2025

 

Fluffy Cap, like Little Double Cap, has also been with me for three summers, as you can see from the dated photo below. How fun is that?

 

Fluffy Cap, July 31, 2023

 

Did you know that birdwatching is calming and reduces stress? Watching these lively little creatures can bring a smile to my face on the darkest of days. I hope this blog brings a smile to yours!

 

Paint. Love. Repeat.