About the European Goldfinch
The European goldfinch, or simply referred to as the goldfinch, is a small passerine bird in the finch family that is native to the Palearctic zone in Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia. It has been introduced to other areas, including Australia, New Zealand, Uruguay and the United States.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The average European goldfinch is 12–13 cm (4.7–5.1 in) long, has a wingspan of 21–25 cm (8.3–9.8 in) and weighs 14 to 19 g (0.49 to 0.67 oz). There is little difference between the sexes, both having a red face, black and white head, warm brown upperparts, white underparts with buff flanks and breast patches, and black and yellow wings. Male European goldfinches can often be distinguished on close inspection by the larger, darker red mask that extends just behind the eye. Their shoulder feathers are black, whereas those of the female are brown.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the European Goldfinch sounds like
Where the European Goldfinch lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Brazil, India, Costa Rica, Réunion, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan.
When to see the European Goldfinch
Peak activity in May · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Citril FinchCarduelis citrinellaThe citril finch, also known as the Alpine citril finch, is a small songbird, a member of the true finch family, Fringillidae.
Grey-crowned GoldfinchCarduelis canicepsThe grey-crowned goldfinch is 10.5–14 cm (4.1–5.5 in) long with a wingspan of 21.5–25.5 cm (8.5–10.0 in).
Corsican FinchCarduelis corsicanaThe Corsican finch is a small finch, with a length of between 11.5 and 12.5 cm (4.5 and 4.9 in).
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