Bird Sightings : Hebrides : Goldfinch

Goldfinch

Carduelis carduelis

Gaelic:Deargan-froich

Photograph © Terry Fountain
Council Tip - Benbecula - Outer Hebrides (Western Isles)
2nd February, 2007

There were six in the charm that day.

 

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.

 

Terry Fountain's web site:
http://www.hebridesphotographic.com

 

Other local bird photographs

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