European Goldfinch

Carduelis carduelis

Photo by nigelblake

Identification

The average Goldfinch is 12-13 cm long with a wingspan of 21-25 cm and a weight of 14 to 19 grams. The sexes are much alike, with a red face, black and white head, warm brown upperparts, white underparts with buff flanks and breast patches, and black and yellow wings. On closer inspection male Goldfinches can often be distinguished by a larger red mask that spreads just beyond the eye. The ivory-coloured bill is long and pointed, and the tail is forked. Goldfinches in breading condition have a pure white bill, otherwise, will have a grey/black mark at the tip for the rest of the year. Juveniles have a plain head and a greyer back but are unmistakable due to the yellow wing stripe. Birds in central Asia (caniceps group) have a plain grey head behind the red face, lacking the black and white head pattern of European and western Asian birds.

Distribution

It breeds across Europe, north Africa, and western and central 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. It has been introduced to many areas of the world (Snow and Perrins 1998).

Taxonomy

The species is divided into two major groups, each comprising several races. The two groups intergrade at their boundary, so the caniceps group is not recognised as a distinct species despite its readily distinguishable plumage.

Habitat

Weedy fields, gardens

Behaviour

The food is small seeds such as thistles (the Latin name is from carduus, thistle) and teasels, but insects are also taken when feeding young. It also regularly visits bird feeders in winter. They nest in the outer twigs of tall leafy trees, laying four to six eggs which hatch in 11-14 days.

In the winter they group together to form flocks of up to about 40 birds

Bird Song

<flashmp3>Carduelis carduelis (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program

External Links

• View more images of European Goldfinch in the gallery