European GoldFinch
Modified: 30-11--0001 00:00:00
The European Goldfinch, breeds across Europe and hte majority of Asia in open wooded lowlands. It is resident in the milder west, but migrates from colder regions. It will also make local movements to escape bad weather. This bird is a rare vagrant to eastern North America. In 2005, one was spotted and photographed on a bird feeder in Michigan.
The Goldfinch is 12-13.5 cm (4-5 inches) long and weighs 16 to 22 grams. Sexes are alike, with a red face, black and white head, warm brown upperparts, white underparts with buff flanks and breast patches, and black and yellow wings. The ivory-coloured bill is long and pointed, and the tail is forked. Juveniles have a plain head and a greyer back but are unmistakable due to the yellow wing stripe.
The food is small seeds such as thistles (the Latin name is from carduus, thistle) and teasels, but insects are also taken when feeding young. The song is a pleasant silvery twittering. They nest in the outer twigs of tall leafy trees, laying four to six eggs which hatch in 11-14 days.
Breeding:
European Goldfinchs, require a lot of space to fly, a safe place to hide the nest, and a very good balanced diet. Use a Canary style nest.
Social
European Goldfinchs interact with other species in a mixed aviary much but they aren't aggressive either.
Housing
Large flight or Aviary only.
Diet
Require a varied finch & canary seed diet, eggfood, lots of greens and always fresh water.
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