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 - European Goldfinch
 - European Goldfinch
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European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Scientific name definitions

Guy M. Kirwan, Nárgila Moura, Peter Clement, Peter Pyle, and Peter F. D. Boesman
Version: 1.2 — Published October 22, 2024
Revision Notes

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Introduction

The European Goldfinch is a common species over much of the western and central Palearctic, where it occurs from Europe and North Africa east as far as western and Central Asia. It is much coveted as a cagebird in parts of the species’ range, and partially as a consequence of this it has been introduced (or escaped) and formed feral populations in the USA, Bermuda, Uruguay, Argentina, the Azores, Cape Verde, southeast Australia, and New Zealand. Overall, this Carduelis is not a species of conservation concern globally; however, illegal trapping for the bird trade has decimated populations in parts of North Africa, and has negatively affected the species elsewhere too.

Populations in the north of its range, or in montane regions, are typically migratory, whilst those found further south and at lower elevations are more likely to be resident. Its colorful plumage, which includes a dark red mask and a striking gold wingbar, is unmistakable throughout the species’ distribution. The male and female differ little; however, juveniles look quite different from the adults with a pale buffish-brown head lacking the striking the red mask.

The European Goldfinch occupies a wide breadth of habitats, but is usually absent from both forest interiors and entirely treeless areas. It feeds on seeds that usually are taken directly from the flower or from the seed heads, but the species also can be seen foraging on the ground.

Typically gregarious, the species is usually found in monospecific flocks outside the breeding season. However, European Goldfinch may also form mixed-species flocks with other finches and can be found foraging in trees along with Eurasian Siskin (Spinus spinus) and Redpoll (Acanthis flammea), or on the ground with European Serin (Serinus serinus), Eurasian Linnet (Linaria cannabina), and European Greenfinch (Chloris chloris).

Distribution of the European Goldfinch - Range Map
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  • Year-round
  • Migration
  • Breeding
  • Non-Breeding
Distribution of the European Goldfinch

Recommended Citation

Kirwan, G. M., N. Moura, P. Clement, P. Pyle, and P. F. D. Boesman (2024). European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis), version 1.2. In Birds of the World (G. M. Kirwan, B. K. Keeney, and S. M. Billerman, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.eurgol.01.2
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