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Bird prints in snow

Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)


Part of the finch family with its name coming from the distinctive gold bands upon its wings making it a very attractive and colourful bird.  A social bird and popular for its song, birds generally group together in winter to form flocks.

 

Goldfinch on feeder
Goldfinch on feeder 

With their thin beak they are able to extract small seeds from plants like the teasel and this makes the nyjer seed with its specialist feeder ideal for goldfinches.
The colourful nature of the Goldfinch makes them very beautiful birds: with a red face - which is more prominent and darker in males - and a black and white head.  Juveniles have a plainer head and greyer back.
 
Goldfinches were commonly kept as caged birds due to their appearance and pleasant melody which can be distinguished in the garden as a silvery twittering.


Length

12-13cm


Location

Found widely across the UK apart from North and West Scotland and upland areas.  Generally found in natural vegetated areas with trees, bushes and seeding plants


When can I see Goldfinches?

All year round

 

What food do Goldfinches eat?
Food (Natural)

Small seeds from the likes of the thistle or teasel plant (Dipsacus fullonum).

Dipsacus fullonum flower head

 

Dipsacus fullonum flower head

Insects are generally fed to juveniles.


Food (Bought)

Seeds - the finer the better, the specialist seed is the nyjer but also can be found happily eating sunflower seeds.


Feeder type

Seed feeder, specialist types available for the nyjer seed. Straight from seed heads from plants like the teasel.


 Goldfinch yearly feeding pattern

Goldfinch yearly feeding pattern


When do Goldfinches breed?
Breeding starts in late April


Where do Goldfinches breed?
In outer branches of tall leafy trees

What materials do Blackbirds use to make their nests?
Moss, grass and lichen lined with wool.

How many eggs do Goldfinches lay in a clutch?
Generally between 4 to 6

How long do the eggs take to hatch?
Between 10-14 days

How many broods do Goldfinches have each year?
Generally between 2 to 3


Residency
The European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) although will generally be a resident with an area are found in Europe, North Africa and central Asia.  In the UK there is approximately 313,000 breeding pairs (Source RSPB).


How can gardeners help protect Goldfinches?
  • Avoid using chemicals in the garden.
  • Plant natural flora and fauna which will provide Goldfinches with food such as teasel, alder and birch.    

     

    Scientific Classification

    Kingdom:

    Animalia

    Phylum:

    Chordata

    Class:

    Aves

    Order:

    Passeriformes

    Family:

    Fringillidae

    Genus:Carduelis

    Species:

    Carduelis carduellis

Phormium 'Jester'

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