Bird introduction-European Goldfinch

European Goldfinch

The European Goldfinch is a small bird with red, white, and black stripes on its face. It has yellow wings with brown stripes. This bird is a seeder that thrives on consuming seeds and prefers those obtained from the thistle plant. The European Goldfinch resides in gardens and fields and has a wild, happy call.

Basic Info

• Scientific Name: Carduelis carduelis
• Lifespan: 8-10 years（average）
• Size: 4.7–5.1 in
• Weight: 0.49 to 0.67 oz
• Wingspan: 8.3–9.8 in

European Goldfinches Facts

• The range of European goldfinches ranges from red faces to yellow and black wings.
• It has thistled seeds, dandelion seeds, and plant seeds that goats very much love.
• These birds are small and brightly coloured, and the sight of them is a sheer delight.
• The European Goldfinches have melodies with happy and sweet-sounding songs that you could easily mistake for happy songs.
• They nest in trees or bushes to lay eggs.
• They are usually found in gardens, parks, and other vast open ground, mostly during colder seasons.

Where do European Goldfinches Live?

European goldfinches are found in gardens, parks, open fields, and meadows. Most of them are usually located in regions with many trees. Such birds prefer to live where they can get all the seeds they want. Also situated near European Goldfinches are farming areas with crops and flowers. They construct their nests in the bushes or on tall trees if available so that they can easily undertake their activities. European Goldfinches inhabit regions with relatively moderate climates, even in the winter.

European Goldfinches Migration Range

European Goldfinches change their habitat by moving to warmer areas in wintertime. They operate from Europe to North Africa and some parts of Asia. These birds are migratory, flocking for food and heat. Some, like the European Goldfinch, will remain in their habitats if winters are mild. All of them go back to their home areas when spring starts.

European Goldfinches Lifespan

On average, European Goldfinches travel to warmer areas during the freezing winter. They operate from Europe to North Africa and some parts of Asia. These birds have to fly long distances for food and better temperature conditions. European Goldfinches remain residents, if they do not have to go far because winters are mild. They go back to their home regions as spring is signalled once more.

What do European Goldfinches eat?

European Goldfinches feed on the seeds of plants, including thistles and dandelions. They also feed on minor bugs like grasshoppers and other reasonably small garden insects. These birds prefer sunflower seeds and seeds obtained from flowers. European Goldfinches also look for food in gardens, fields, and trees. They have a sharp beak, which they use when picking plant seeds.

Male European Goldfinches

European goldfinches exhibit sexual dimorphism. The male bird is brighter than the female one. It has a red face, yellow wings, and black and white feathers.

Male European goldfinches are more vocal than females in singing more frequently and to the tune. They contribute to cob building and also protect their offspring from harm. Male European Goldfinches are rather promising, and this bird feels great when flying.

Female European Goldfinches

Notably, female goldfinches of Europe are less colourful than males of the species. They have relatively little bright red and yellow on their plumage. Female goldfinches incubate eggs and construct nests. They assist in providing their young with food until they find it themselves. Both sexes of the Goldfinches found in Europe are equal in ability and very much needed.

European Goldfinches Mating Behavior

Mating displays of the European goldfinches also involve exceptional dancing. The male trills loudly to catch the attention of a female bird. They both feed each other as some of the ways of courting among the bird species of this category. They are pair-bonding birds working together to construct nests and rearing their young ones. There is a lot of singing and flying in the mating season.

European Goldfinches Mating Nesting

European Goldfinches also construct their nests in low bushes or on herbs on tree branches. Females are responsible for building the nest because it is made of twigs, grass, and feathers. The nest lays 4 to 6 eggs that are small in size and white in colour. Both parents also contribute to the incubation and protection of the eggs. The chicks hatch in about two weeks, are helpless, and require full attention.

When do European Goldfinches breed?

European goldfinches reproduce in the early spring when the weather becomes warmer. These birds take time to start nest construction during the late March to early April. Feeding of young birds and the breeding season continues up to the summer period when the young ones mature. Females lay eggs, and both sexes incubate them, or both sit on eggs. They usually produce one or two broods per breeding season. Goldfinches are summer breeders; their young must learn how to fly and find food.

European Goldfinches vs American Goldfinches

European Goldfinches have bright red faces and red and yellow wings. The male is bright yellow from the bill to the vent, with black wings and a tail. European Goldfinches inhabit Europe and some parts of Asia. This breed of goldfinch is native to most parts of North America, ranging from Canada to Mexico.

European Goldfinches feed on thistle seeds and American Goldfinches feed on Sunflower seeds. Both types of goldfinches are rather beautiful, but they differ in their appearance and habitats.

Bird Introduction-European Goldfinch

Beautiful European Goldfinch with a sharp pink bill, cherry-red face, and brilliant black-and-yellow flashes in the wings. Western birds (Europe east to far western Central Asia) have a black-and-white cowl; eastern birds (rest of Central Asia) lack this cowl, and are grayer overall, with more white on the wing. Juvenile (seen in late summer and autumn) has a plain head but is told easily by bold wing pattern.

European Goldfinch Breeding:

The nest is built entirely by the female and is generally completed within a week.

The nest is neat and compact and is generally located several meters above the ground, hidden by leaves in the twigs at the end of a swaying branch. It is constructed of mosses and lichens and lined with plant down such as that from thistles. It is attached to the twigs of the tree with spider silk. A deep cup prevents the loss of eggs in windy weather.

Beginning within a couple of days after the completion of the nest, the eggs are laid in the early morning at daily intervals.
The clutch is typically 4-6 eggs, which are whitish with reddish-brown speckles. They have a smooth surface and are slightly glossy.

For the first 7–9 days the young are brooded by the female. The nestlings fledge 13–18 days after hatching. The young birds are fed by both parents for a further 7–9 days. The parents typically raise two broods each year and occasionally three.

One of the most fascinating traits of Goldfinches is their melodious songs. They are highly skilled at mimicking the sounds of other birds and can produce a variety of trills, whistles, and chirps. They are known to be very vocal, especially during the breeding season when males sing to attract a mate. Goldfinches also have a distinctive call, which is described as a sweet, undulating jingling sound.

How to Attract European Goldfinch to Backyard or Garden？

If you lives at the place of the European Goldfinch distribution and habitat, you can certainly attract them to your backyard or garden and feed them. Their favorite seeds is niger seeds or sunflower seeds. You can provide them to attract Goldfinches to your backyard. Using the Birdfy feeder camera, you can receive the notification when them visit your bird feeders!

Conclusion

In conclusion, the European Goldfinch is a charming bird that can add color and musicality to any garden or park. By providing food sources such as sunflower hearts, nyjer seed, and live mealworms, one can attract these beautiful birds to a garden or balcony.