European Goldfinch

The Goldfinch or European Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis, is a small passerine bird of the finch family.

The Goldfinch breeds across Europe and most of Asia in open partially wooded lowlands. It is resident in the milder west of its range, but migrates from colder regions. It will also make local movements, even in the west, to escape bad weather.

The Goldfinch is 12cm long. Sexes are alike, with a red face, black and white head, brown body and black and yellow wings. Juveniles have a plain head, but are unmistakable due to the yellow wing stripe. It is the red face that gives the genus Carduelis its name from the colour worn by cardinals. Ironically, the dominant colour on all the birds in this genus is actually yellow.

The food is small seeds such as thistles and teasels, but insects are also taken when feeding young. The song is a pleasant silvery twittering. They nest in the outer twigs of tall leafy trees, laying four to six eggs which hatch in 11-14 days.