European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelis
A collective group of goldfinches is poetically referred to as a 'charm', describing their beautiful, synchronized twittering song.
- Scientific name
- Carduelis carduelis
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Fringillidae › Carduelis
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- increasing
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Open woodlands, orchards, gardens, parks, and weedy grasslands.
- Diet
- Primarily seeds from thistles, dandelions, and teasels, supplemented with small insects during the breeding season.
- Range
- Europe, North Africa, Western Asia, Australia, New Zealand
- Size
- 12-13 cm in length, 21-25 cm wingspan, weighing 14-19 grams
- Lifespan
- 2 to 5 years in the wild
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Loss of wild meadows, intensive agricultural practices that eliminate weeds, and illegal trapping for the caged-bird trade.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. These birds are safe to observe from any distance. Use binoculars to appreciate their vibrant plumage without startling them. If you find a fledgling on the ground, leave it alone as the parents are likely nearby; only intervene and contact a wildlife rehabilitator if the bird is injured or in immediate danger from domestic predators.
The European goldfinch or goldfinch ( Carduelis carduelis ), is a small passerine bird in the finch family that is native to Europe, North Africa and western Asia. It has been introduced to other areas including Australia, New Zealand and Uruguay.
Photo: Susan Marley, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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