Goldfinch

Scientific name: Carduelis carduelis

The striking red crown, golden back, and bright yellow wings of the goldfinch make it one of our prettiest garden birds. It happily visits birdtables and feeders across the UK.

Species information

Statistics

Length: 12-14cm
Wingspan: 24cm
Weight: 17g
Average lifespan: 2 years

Conservation status

Common. Classified in the UK as Green under the Birds of Conservation Concern 5: the Red List for Birds (2021). Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981.

When to see

January to December

About

The goldfinch is a striking, small finch of gardens, parks, woodland, heathland and farmland. It eats small seeds, especially from ragwort, dandelions and teasels (their long, pointed bills help them to extract the seeds), as well as invertebrates. It will visit birdtables and feeders, too. During winter, goldfinches roam about in flocks of up to 100 birds, searching for food. However, some of our UK birds will migrate as far south as Spain to avoid the worst of the harsh weather.

How to identify

The goldfinch is a small, colourful finch that is gingery-brown above and pale below, with black-and-yellow wings, a black crown, white cheeks and a bright red face.

Distribution

Widespread, but absent from the very north of Scotland.

Habitats

Did you know?

The collective noun for a group of goldfinches is a 'charm', whereas a group of crows is known as a 'murder', and a group of owls as a 'parliament'. All quite fitting to our stereotypical views of these birds!