Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)
From the family of Finches or Fringillidae, the term Carduelis carduelis is derived from the Latin for thistle (Carduus).
Common throughout the UK, apart from extreme highland areas, and most abundant in southern counties, the Goldfinch can be seen in places abundant with thistle, teasel and other seed-bearing plants. Known famously for its colourful red and yellow plumage, the Goldfinch is a somewhat cultural fascination, having been featured prominently in art and literature throughout the centuries. With a tendency to group together, these sociable birds will often flock in large numbers and feed at a suitable niger seed feeder.
Goldfinches are classified as Green i.e. Least Concern, and number in the 100s of thousands. According to RSPB research, there are around 313,000 breeding pairs in the UK, and there has been a large increase in Goldfinches visiting bird tables over the past few years, mainly due to the increase and availability of supplemental food in gardens.
Goldfinches have a penchant for warmer climates, and therefore, depending on the severity of the winter in the UK, a large proportion of the UK population may migrate as far south as Spain.
Goldfinch breeding
Prior to mating, Goldfinches have a somewhat unique display in which they sway from side-to-side, with wings drooped downwards, while singing their characteristic mating song.
Goldfinch breeding begins in late April and most pairs will attempt two broods, sometimes three, in a given year. Each clutch consists of approximately 3 – 7 chicks whose incubation period lasts between 10 – 14 days, ultimately leading to a fledge period of between 13 – 18 days.
Juvenile Goldfinches are a dull grey colour after hatching and only develop their bright yellow and red plumage after the first moult.
“The best time to feed Goldfinches is during the late spring period.”
Silken, liquid twittering
The Goldfinch has a beautiful, silken song which twitters along with distinctive liquid tones. This is often accompanied by the rocking motion, which is used for attracting mates. It is mainly for these reasons that Victorian Britons kept Goldfinches as cage birds in their homes.
The Goldfinch in culture and religion
During the Renaissance, the Goldfinch became associated with various theological symbols, the most significant of which is the Passion of Christ, which of course relates to thistle and thorns.
According to the legend, a Goldfinch flew over Christ’s head and was distressed by the thorns, which the bird attempted to pluck off. As the bird was plucking the thorns, some of Jesus’s blood dripped onto the bird, creating the distinctive red patch of feathers on its head.
This association has influenced various artistic interpretations of the Madonna and the Child, as in the painting displayed here by Raphael (Madonna of the Goldfinch, circa 1505 – 1506) in which John the Baptiste holds the Goldfinch, Christ the child reaches out to touch it, and Mary sits behind in striking blue (the church) and red (the passion) clothes.
The Goldfinch was also used as the title for the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, The Goldfinch, by Donna Tartt, in which a boy, Theodore Decker, survives a terrorist attack at an art museum and becomes fixated on a Carel Fabritius painting of a Goldfinch.
Top Goldfinch Facts
- Only male Goldfinches can extract seeds from teasel using their long, slender bills. Females tend to develop shorter beaks than males.
- Goldfinches can flock together in groups of 100, and often can overwhelm a bird feeder
- Juvenile Goldfinches are rather dull in colour, having just greyish-brown streaked heads; those memorable, striking reds and yellows only surface after the first juvenile moult
- Goldfinches have been known to hybridise with Greenfinches and even Bullfinches – show image
- Over 100 years ago, Goldfinches were successfully introduced to both Australia and New Zealand
- The Goldfinch was a popular cage bird in Victorian England, causing a severe Goldfinch population crisis.
Interactive Goldfinch Fact File
Niger Seed, often referred to as thistle, is a tiny, black, oil-rich seed which is very similar to the seed of the teasel or thistle.
These highly nutritious and oil-rich sunflower hearts for wild birds come without the husks of complete sunflower seeds.
Attract some of the UK’s most colourful garden birds to your garden with this Classic Niger Seed Feeder.
Available in two sizes, our Premium Seed Feeders are designed to last with their strong, durable metal features.
I have to say wonderful site. I have masses of Goldfinches in my garden and they are greedy and love the sunflower hearts.
I have lotsof them as well! They do tend to overwelhm my feeders to get the sunflower hearts.
I saw one having a go at a teasel. I did not know that oly the males did that.
Hi Carol,
Thanks for your comment. Here’s an article about the differences between male and female Goldfinches: https://www.animalwised.com/how-to-tell-a-male-from-a-female-goldfinch-195.html.
Do I need to remove the old nest for next yea
We have a large number of goldfinches who sweep down to the bird feeders and love to watch them. They particularly like the sunflower hearts I may try them with niger seeds now.
Goldfinches have declined in my garden over the past two years,as have the greetings. Not sure why??
Goldfinches have declined in my garden over the past two years,as have the greenfinches Not sure why??
Mine did too but I persevered with clean feeders and fresh seed and after a year they are back and getting more than I had before. Lots of juveniles too
Hi I live in Barrow in Furness, I love watching the birds I get them in my garden on the feeders and the goldfinch are regular visitors but normally only 5-10 we went for a walk on New Years day and heard them coming I was amazed there must of been 80-100 we watched them go on every roof for about 5 mins what a wonderful new year’s day made
All the best for 2017
Chris
I always know they are around with their bird song.
I feed them Niger seed. They stay till around August or when the Yankee feeder is empty. They do not return till next Spring.
I need to order Niger seed, the feeder is washed and ready for Spring.
Here one is on the feeder..
We have regular Goldfinches at the Niger seed feeder and the sunflower hearts. Mostly they appear in pairs but we have seen up to 5 on the sunflower hearts feeder. After eating they often move to the bird bath for a drink and then depart. A good time to see them is in the early evening – between 5 and 7.
They do not seem intimidated by the flocks of house sparrows who love the sunflower hearts too, with up to 12 at a time around in the area of the feeders or in the shrubs.
Follow up picture
The Goldfinch in Renaissance art
represents the blood of Christ.
In an attempt to remove the crown of thorns
the blood race face reminds us of great sacrifice.
at the moment I have 15 goldfinch that come to the garden and feed on the lavender???
We hve goldfinches in the garden and without exaggeration they drink ut of a bird table 30 to 40 times a day.4 or 5 quick intakes of water and then fly away.Is tis usual regards Micael and Delma Soult
I think they are the least shy finches, this pair are returning to my feeder.
I’ve just had 15 goldfinches alight on my bird feeder, an amazing sight, I’ve never had so many in one go, particularly at this time of year.
Occasionally a few goldfinches come to my yard. What should I do to attract more goldfinches?
I have one or two goldfinches visit from time to time. In an effort to encourage more I invested in a pre-filled niger seed feeder. They completely ignore this (-; and choose instead to graze among the suet pellets dropping as much on floor as eating, but it keeps the ground feeders happy
They are totally ignoring the Niger feeder and stripping the lavender heads. There was 15 on there this morning