Goldfinchs in Switzerland
When the Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) is present in Switzerland, when it nests, and which native Switzerland plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Switzerland
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- April–August
- Size
- 12 cm, 16 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
When to expect goldfinchs in Switzerland
The Goldfinch lives in Switzerland all year round. Snowy winters in the mountains; milder on the Swiss plateau and around the lakes.
Temperate-continental in the plateau, Alpine in the mountains.
Nesting in Switzerland
In Switzerland the Goldfinch usually nests April–August. Nest site: neat cup far out on a branch. Clutches are 4–6 eggs, incubated for 11–13 days; chicks fledge after 13–18 days, and pairs raise 2–3 per year.
- The Goldfinch does not use enclosed nest boxes — dense native shrubs and climbers give it nest sites.
- Avoid cutting hedges during the nesting season (roughly March to August) — in the UK, disturbing an active nest is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Native Switzerland plants for goldfinchs
Of the native plants we track for Switzerland, these 3 provide food the Goldfinch uses:
Goldfinches extract the seeds from standing heads in autumn and winter.
Catkin seed for Siskins and Redpolls; many caterpillars for tit broods.
Cones hold seed that Siskins and Goldfinches feed on all winter.
Feeding in the garden
Small seeds from teasel, thistle and knapweed.
- Best foods: Nyjer seed, Sunflower hearts.
- Feeders: Nyjer feeder, Tube feeder.
- Leave teasel and knapweed heads standing through winter.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are goldfinchs in Switzerland all year?
Yes — the Goldfinch is resident in Switzerland all year.
When do goldfinchs nest in Switzerland?
Typically April–August. Clutches are 4–6 eggs, incubated for 11–13 days, with 2–3 per year.
Which native plants help goldfinchs in Switzerland?
Teasel, Silver birch, Alder are native to Switzerland and provide food or cover the Goldfinch uses.
Goldfinchs in other countries
Other garden birds in Switzerland
Sources
- Goldfinch — RSPB bird guide
- Goldfinch — BTO BirdFacts
- Swiss Breeding Bird Atlas — Swiss Ornithological Institute
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.