Finches (Fringillidae)
Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelis
- Length
- 12 cm
- Weight
- 16 g
- Clutch
- 4–6 eggs
- Incubation
- 11–13 days
- Fledging
- 13–18 days
- Broods
- 2–3 per year
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
Identification
- Red face and black-and-white head
- Broad golden wing bar
- Tinkling flight calls
Liquid, twittering song.
Diet and garden feeding
Small seeds from teasel, thistle and knapweed.
- Best foods: Nyjer seed, Sunflower hearts.
- Leave teasel and knapweed heads standing through winter.
Nesting
Neat cup far out on a branch.
Goldfinchs by country
England
Resident all year · nests April–August
Scotland
Resident all year · nests May–August
Wales
Resident all year · nests April–August
Northern Ireland
Resident all year · nests April–August
Ireland
Resident all year · nests April–August
Netherlands
Resident all year · nests April–August
Belgium
Resident all year · nests April–August
Germany
Resident all year · nests April–August
France
Resident all year · nests April–August
Denmark
Resident all year · nests April–August
Sweden
Summer visitor · nests May–August
Norway
Summer visitor · nests May–August
Finland
Summer visitor · nests May–August
Spain
Resident all year · nests March–August
Portugal
Resident all year · nests March–August
Italy
Resident all year · nests March–August
Austria
Resident all year · nests April–August
Switzerland
Resident all year · nests April–August
Poland
Resident all year · nests April–August
Sources
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.