Bird Sightings : Hebrides : Goldfinch

Goldfinch

Carduelis carduelis

Gaelic: Deargan-froich

Photograph © Grahame Thompson
Stornoway Castle Grounds - Isle of Lewis - Outer Hebrides (Western Isles)
May 2004

Grahame is one of two British Ornithological Society ringers on the island, he does the East side. His usual areas are the Castle Grounds and Aiginish, plus a whole heap of other sites depending on time of year and species!

 

Our goldfinch photographs:

Male Goldfinch

 

• Goldfinch
  AKA: British Goldfinch, Eastern Goldfinch, Eurasian Goldfinch, European Goldfinch, Goldfinch, Gray-crowned Goldfinch
• Carduelis carduelis
• WI: very rare breeder, uncommon passage migrant
• UK 313 thousand pairs (Summer) BTO
  UK Winter: 100,000 birds (RSPB) Many UK goldfinches migrate to Spain
• Distribution: Europe, Asia, (Australia & New Zealand introduced)
• Habitat: Open country with plenty of seeds: woodland, farmland, villages (bird feeders)
• Diet: Small seeds: thistles, daisies, teasels & self-heal (summer some insects) (longish very pointed beaks for seed extraction)
• Average age 2yrs, oldest recorded 8yrs 8mths
• Finch. Bright red face. Yellow wing patch.
  Juveniles: plain head & greyer back but have the yellow wing patch. Sociable, in winter forms flock up to 40 birds. Often breeds in loose colonies.
• Listen to a goldfinch (RSPB site)
• Similar birds: greenfinch
  

Latin name is from carduus, thistle

A colourful bird with a pleasant song the goldfinch was and still is a popular caged bird. Via escapes and releases it was introduced to Australia and New Zealand where it now forms vast colonies.

Two or more finches is called a charm.

Other local bird photographs

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