European Goldfinch Bird Facts (Carduelis carduelis)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The European Goldfinch is a striking small finch with a distinctive red face and black-and-white head. Its wings are black with a bright yellow wing bar, while the body is mainly buff or light brown.

During the breeding season, the bill of male and female goldfinches is white, but at other times of the year, it is marked with a black tip.

Female goldfinches are very alike in appearance to males, and visually, it is hard to tell them apart from a distance. At close range, the sexes can be distinguished by the size of the red facial patch, with the females not extending past the eyes as it does in males of the species.

Juvenile goldfinches do not develop adults' red, white and black facial markings until the late summer or autumn after hatching. Until this point, they have streaky buff-brown markings on their heads.

Size

Length

12cm to 13cm

Wingspan

21cm to 25cm

Weight

14g to 19g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Red Black White

Secondary Colour

Brown Yellow

Beak Colour

Pale Pink

Leg Colour

Pink

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The European Goldfinch can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The European Goldfinch can be found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The European Goldfinch is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The European Goldfinch is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The European Goldfinch is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The European Goldfinch can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The European Goldfinch is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The European Goldfinch is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The European Goldfinch is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The European Goldfinch is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The European Goldfinch is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The European Goldfinch is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

European Goldfinches inhabit open woodlands, hedgerows, parks, and gardens across Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. They prefer areas with scattered trees and shrubs interspersed with open ground rich in seeding plants.

Goldfinches are widespread residents in the UK, with some birds migrating south in winter. They have also been introduced to Australia and New Zealand, where they have established populations.

Elevation Range

Up to 4,200 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Mediterranean

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a European Goldfinch. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Breeding

Non-breeding

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Afghanistan Algeria Andorra Argentina Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Brazil Bulgaria Cape Verde Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Egypt Estonia Faroe Islands Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Iran Iraq Ireland Italy Jordan Latvia Lebanon Libya Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Moldova Morocco Netherlands Palestine Portugal Romania Russia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Syria The United Kingdom Tunisia Turkey Ukraine

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Albania Armenia Australia Bermuda Bosnia and Herzegovina Georgia Israel Liechtenstein Mongolia Montenegro New Zealand Norway Poland Russia Serbia Turkmenistan Uruguay

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Gibraltar Kuwait Malta Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Bahrain Oman

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The European Goldfinch displays remarkable agility, particularly in its acrobatic feeding style. Its ability to cling to thistle heads and extract seeds, coupled with its undulating flight pattern, demonstrates high manoeuvrability and precision in movement.

Strength 30

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As a small finch, the European Goldfinch has limited strength compared to larger birds. However, its ability to extract seeds from tough plant heads suggests some degree of specialised muscular strength in its beak and neck.

Adaptability 75

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

European Goldfinches show good adaptability, thriving in various habitats from woodlands to urban gardens. Their successful population recovery in the UK and establishment in introduced regions like Australia indicate a strong capacity to adapt to changing environments.

Aggressiveness 25

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Generally, European Goldfinches are not particularly aggressive. Their highly social nature, often forming small flocks outside breeding season, suggests a relatively peaceful disposition. However, like most birds, they may display some territorial behaviour during breeding.

Endurance 60

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

While not known for exceptional endurance, European Goldfinches demonstrate moderate stamina. Their partial migratory behaviour and ability to forage extensively for small seeds indicate a reasonable level of endurance. However, as small birds, they likely have limitations compared to long-distance migrants.

Diet

European Goldfinches primarily feed on small seeds, particularly those of thistles, teasels, and dandelions. They also consume seeds from birch and alder trees, and occasionally small insects, especially when feeding young.

Their specialised beak is adapted for extracting seeds from flower heads.

Insects, including bugs, moths, beetles and flies, form a smaller part of a goldfinch’s diet, particularly during early spring and breeding season. Spiders and larvae are also eaten.

Behaviour

European Goldfinches are highly social, often seen in small flocks outside the breeding season. They have an acrobatic feeding style, clinging to thistle heads and other plants to extract seeds.

These birds are also known for their undulating flight pattern, alternating between flapping and gliding.

Vocalisation

The European Goldfinch has a pleasant, tinkling song that includes a variety of sweet trills and twitters. Their flight call is a distinctive 'tickelitt' or 'stichlit', which gives rise to their German name 'Stieglitz'. When feeding or in flocks, they produce a soft, conversational warbling.

Nesting & Breeding

Breeding season for European Goldfinches typically begins in late April. Males perform a fluttering display flight to attract females, often accompanied by song.

Females construct a neat, cup-shaped nest of moss, lichen, and plant down, usually in the outer branches of trees or shrubs. They lay 4-6 pale blue eggs with reddish-brown spots.

Incubation lasts about 12-14 days, carried out by the female. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after 13-18 days but continue to be fed by adults for several more weeks.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While the European Goldfinch is currently listed as Least Concern, it has faced historical declines due to trapping for the cage-bird trade.

In the UK, conservation efforts and increased garden feeding have contributed to a population recovery in recent decades.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

100,000,000 - 155,000,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

Look for goldfinches in open woodland edges, gardens, and fields with thistles and teasels.
Listen for their liquid, tinkling call, often given in flight.
Observe feeders with niger seeds, which are particularly attractive to goldfinches.
In the UK, participate in the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch to contribute to goldfinch population monitoring.

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Goldfinch

Family:

Fringillidae

Average Lifespan

2 to 3 years

Predators

Main predators include sparrowhawks, cats, and other small birds of prey. Nests may be raided by jays, magpies, and squirrels.

Did You Know?

Goldfinches were popular subjects in Renaissance paintings, often symbolising resurrection.
A group of goldfinches is called a 'charm'.
The population in the UK has increased by over 100% since the 1970s.
Goldfinches were often kept as captive birds by the Victorians.