Goldfinch

Carduelis carduelis

Goldfinch

Goldfinches are common at Rannoch and can be seen in gardens as well as in the wider countryside.

The female goldfinch’s plumage is slightly duller than the male plumage and they have less red on the face. The males have slightly longer beaks which allow them to eat teasel.

The collective noun for a flock of goldfinches is a ‘Charm’ of goldfinches which is in itself charming. The French for goldfinch is chardonneret élégant and indeed it is an elegant bird which is a pleasure to see at the bird feeders.

The Victorians (unfortunately) used to keep goldfinches as cage birds and they caught so many that the species declined dramatically in numbers. It was part of the early work of the RSPB to halt the decline. More recently the number of goldfinches has increased because they benefit from being fed by human beings.

Goldfinches are seed eaters and like thistle seeds. At bird feeders they like niger seeds.

Goldfinches are often detected first by their twittering and musical flight calls.

Creative Commons - Credit David Friel