European goldfinch
Carduelis carduelis
Habitat
The range of the European goldfinch extends from southern Scandinavia to central Russia and southward to northern Africa and India. Thanks to humans, the European goldfinch also lives today as an introduced species in Australia and New Zealand.
The habitat of this bird species consists of open or sparse deciduous forests, mixed deciduous and coniferous forests, forest edges, farms, thickets, heathlands, hedgerows, roadsides, scrublands, orchards, field edges, parks, gardens, wooded banks, steppe grasslands with scattered trees and streams, rivers or marshes, villages and suburbs of cities. The European goldfinch prefers habitat with cluttered, shaggy and overgrown vegetation.
Appearance
Diet
The European goldfinch feeds on (un)mature seeds, buds, flowers and fruit. In early spring, this bird species also eats Insects.
Breeding
The breeding season takes place from April through early August. The European goldfinch adopts a monogamous mating system, where the pair bond is long-lasting. This bird species lays 2 broods and breeds solitary (in pair form) or loosely colonial with up to 5 nests in the same tree.
The male begins courtship behavior by showing his deep red coloration of the face to the female, waving his body and spreading the wings and tail. The female will respond in the same way. Next, the pair will circle each other with beak touches. The male will feed the female. The pair will chase each other briefly and vigorously, ending with copulation.
The female will build the nest in a tree or bush. Foliage from the outer twigs or slender branches usually hide the nest. The male will search for suitable nesting material. The nest consists of a compact and small container of grass, moss, plant fibers, down, cobwebs, animal hair and feathers. On the outside of the nest are often aromatic leaves.
The clutch consists of 4 to 6 eggs, which the female incubates in 9 to 12 days. After the eggs hatch, both parents will feed and care for the chicks. After 13 to 18 days, the young fly out, but remain with the parents for at least another 10 days.
How will you support the European goldfinch?
The European goldfinch loves Thistles, Dandelions and Sunflowers. During the winter, Alder serve as an important food source. By planting these plants, you can entice the European goldfinch to come into your garden.
To help the European goldfinch during the breeding season, you can hang a nesting chapel in the garden. At the bottom of the den is a tray, in which the European goldfinch can eventually make its nest. The nest box has a width of about 15 cm and a height of about 20 cm.