Carduelis carduelis
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Mass
~15 g
Habitat
Woodlands and parks
Diet
Seeds and grains
How to recognize it
The European Goldfinch is a small, lively finch with a bright red face and clear yellow wing bars. In parks and city edges, it stands out less by sitting still than by the way it keeps moving, hopping and flying on with an easy, restless energy.
Its voice is light and ringing, with a cheerful, trilling song. In flocks it becomes even more active, and in spring pairs form up; later, adults feed chicks insects and aphids, while grown ones go for seeds too, especially from thistles and burdock.
It favors clearings, gardens, and leafy groves near open ground. In autumn some move south, but many stay through winter, so it can be part of everyday urban walks for much of the year.
Quick Facts
Listen to the call
The European Goldfinch is a small, lively finch with a bright red face and clear yellow wing bars. In parks and city edges, it stands out less by sitting still than by the way it keeps moving, hopping and flying on with an easy, restless energy.
Its voice is light and ringing, with a cheerful, trilling song. In flocks it becomes even more active, and in spring pairs form up; later, adults feed chicks insects and aphids, while grown ones go for seeds too, especially from thistles and burdock.
It favors clearings, gardens, and leafy groves near open ground. In autumn some move south, but many stay through winter, so it can be part of everyday urban walks for much of the year.
