# European Goldfinch (*Carduelis carduelis*) The European Goldfinch is a small, colorful bird with a bright red face and yellow wings. They love to sing and can often be seen flitting about in gardens and parks. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Gardens, parks, and open fields - **Also known as:** Carduelis Goldfinch, Goldfinch ![European Goldfinch](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426802/objects/4561.jpg) ## Appearance The European Goldfinch has a striking red face, a black and white head, and vibrant yellow flashes on its black wings. Its body is mostly buff-brown with a white belly. These bright colours make it easily identifiable among other small birds. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Fringillidae - **Genus:** Carduelis ## Interesting facts - A group of goldfinches is called a 'charm' – how enchanting! - Goldfinch chicks have duller feathers when they leave the nest to help them hide! - They often use soft thistle-down to line their nests, making them super cozy! - They use spider silk to help weave their nests together, making them extra strong! ## Special abilities - **Seed Extraction Master:** European Goldfinch can precisely extract tiny seeds from thistles and teasels because of its specialized, pointed beak. - **Acrobatic Feeder:** European Goldfinch can hang upside down on plant stems because of its nimble feet, reaching seeds others cannot. - **Nature's Weaver:** European Goldfinch has a talent for weaving compact nests using plant down and spider silk that keeps its babies safe. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 12-13.5 cm - **Wingspan:** 21-25 cm - **Weight:** 0.011-0.02 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-7 years - **Speed:** 45 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-7 - **Incubation:** 11-14 days ## Diet & Feeding They mostly munch on tiny seeds from thistles, teasels, and other wild plants. - **Primary Foods:** Thistle seeds, Teasel seeds, Dandelion seeds, Nyjer seeds, Sunflower seeds, Birch seeds - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Eurasian Sparrowhawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-sparrowhawk) (*Accipiter nisus*) — A common bird of prey that hunts small birds like the Goldfinch. - **Eats:** Spear Thistle (*Cirsium vulgare*) — Relies heavily on its abundant seeds as a primary food source. - **Shelter:** [Silver Birch](https://www.snappit.app/explore/silver-birch) (*Betula pendula*) — Often builds its cup-shaped nest high within its branches. - **Eats:** Teasel (*Dipsacus fullonum*) — Its seeds are a vital food source, especially in winter. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Goldfinches are friendly and not dangerous. Just enjoy watching them from a distance! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify European Goldfinch? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is European Goldfinch? 12-13.5 cm ### What is European Goldfinch's wingspan? 21-25 cm ### How much does European Goldfinch weigh? 0.011-0.02 kg ### How long does European Goldfinch live? 2-7 years ### How fast can European Goldfinch move? 45 km/h ### What does European Goldfinch eat? They mostly munch on tiny seeds from thistles, teasels, and other wild plants. ### Where is European Goldfinch usually found? Gardens, parks, and open fields ## Where to spot - [Zoo Berlin](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-berlin) — Berlin, DE · Zoo - [Monkey World](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/monkey-world) — England, GB · Zoo - [Faunia](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/faunia) — Spain, ES · Zoo - [Vogelpark Marlow](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/vogelpark-marlow) — Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, DE · Zoo - [Biosphärenreservat Bliesgau](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/biospharenreservat-bliesgau) — Saarland, DE · Park - [Blumengarten Bexbach](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/blumengarten-bexbach) — Saarland, DE · Park [View all places to see European Goldfinch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/european-goldfinch) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [European Goldfinch: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-goldfinch)