# European Goldfinch

*Carduelis carduelis*

A collective group of goldfinches is poetically referred to as a 'charm', describing their beautiful, synchronized twittering song.

- **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.

## About

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.

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/5c503be0-1483-401c-96a2-de797e25d98a
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/9398
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carduelis carduelis
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/178913176/medium.jpeg (Susan Marley, CC-BY, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.