Goldfinch Factfile
Latin name
Distribution
Goldfinches are fairly widespread across the UK but largely absent from the far north and north west of Scotland, plus the Northern and Western Isles.
Habitat
In the breeding season the Goldfinch is typically seen on farmland with hedgerows and scattered trees, woodland edges, scrubland, parks and gardens. Outside of the breeding season Goldfinches can be a common sight on wasteland and other areas where there are wild flowers which have gone to seed – in particular thistles and teasels.
UK Population
The BTO give a figure of 1.7 million breeding pairs of Goldfinch in the UK, though the total number of birds is reduced by perhaps two thirds in the winter months as many migrate to southern Europe. This healthy number of Goldfinches – which has been increasing over the last few decades – means the conservation status of the Goldfinch is now green.
In its adult form, the Goldfinch is unmistakable with its red, white and black face, plus distinctive bright yellow wing stripe. Goldfinches are a sociable bird, with small breeding colonies often formed, and outside of the breeding season nearly always seen in flocks and often with other species of finch. Along with its beautiful plumage, the Goldfinch has a delightful song. In gardens, Goldfinches are relatively easy to attract with niger seed and sunflower hearts. The Latin name for the Goldfinch is Carduelis carduelis.
The wingspan of the Goldfinch is around 24cm and length of the bird is 12cm, which makes the species an average sized finch. Juvenile Goldfinches do not have the red face, though they’re still relatively easy to identify as they do have the yellow wing stripe, plus are nearly always seen with adult Goldfinches.
The plumage of male and female goldfinches is almost identical, with this meaning that the sexes are hard to tell apart. The red on the face of the female Goldfinch generally doesn’t extend quite so far behind the eye as on the male bird, but there is a fair bit of variation in this so it isn’t a guaranteed way of telling male and female Goldfinches apart.
The Goldfinch’s song is distinctive and highly appealing. However, its song was also one of the reasons the Goldfinch had previously declined, with widespread trapping taking place for the caged bird industry. Thankfully this practice has long been illegal, and indeed it was one of the RSPB’s earliest campaigns which led to this happening.
Video footage of Goldfinches
Goldfinch nesting and breeding habits
Goldfinches will often nest in small, loose colonies, with nests being built from grasses, moss, lichen, and other available materials such as wool and hair to bind the nest together. The nest of the Goldfinch is neat and well-constructed, and generally located relatively far from the ground in tight tree branches, a tall shrub, hedgerow or thicket. In gardens, evergreen conifers are also used by Goldfinches for nesting. The female Goldfinch builds the nest, though the male may bring materials to her. Incubation of the eggs is solely carried out by the female Goldfinch, though both parents feed the young. Goldfinches have two to three broods each season, with a clutch size of around five eggs which are a glossy blue colour with reddish flecks. The breeding season for Goldfinches typically starts in late April.
Goldfinch history and population trends
The Goldfinch population has been steadily increasing over many decades (though there was a notable reduction between the mid-70s and mid-80s), with the species also extending its range more into northern Britain. This very long-term trend for the Goldfinch is probably partly due to the end of widespread persecution which the species suffered up until the 1930s (the birds being captured for the caged bird market), plus, and in more recent decades, its adoption of garden feeders as a major source of food. Indeed, the Goldfinch has especially taken to bird food such as Niger seed and sunflower hearts, with this also helping to improve winter survival rates.
Behaviour traits of Goldfinches
Goldfinches are social and gregarious birds both in and outside the breeding season, and are rarely seen alone on garden feeders, though frequently squabble between themselves for perch position. Perhaps their most interesting behaviour of the Goldfinch is the ability to hold onto thin plant stems with seed heads to remove tiny individual seeds, which they’re able to do with their exceptionally thin and pointed (for a finch) bill.
Goldfinches frequently move around to feed, with small flocks adopting a light and bouncing flight as they look for suitable seed heads – and of course garden bird feeding stations. Goldfinches are also fairly vocal as they fly, with a soft twittering call.
Goldfinch diet and food
In the autumn and winter months the Goldfinch’s natural diet is made up of seeds and in particular those of thistle, teasel and other similar plants, plus seeds from alder and birch trees. In the spring and summer a wide variety of insects are also taken including aphids, caterpillars and small beetles. Goldfinches also take these invertebrates to feed their young in the nest and also their fledglings. In gardens, Goldfinches have, over the last few decades, increasingly taken to feeding on Niger seed and sunflower hearts. Indeed, in many areas of the UK Goldfinches are now one of the more common species of bird to be seen on bird feeders and bird tables.
The Goldfinch’s beak is unusually pointed for a finch, with this adaptation seemingly having evolved to extract tiny seeds such as teasel from the dead flower heads of the plant. And it’s this shape of beak which also allows Goldfinches to remove Niger seeds from the very small ports on special Niger seed feeders – something most other species of finch are unable to do (siskin and redpoll being the exception).
What should I feed Goldfinches?
We recommend the following products to help attract Goldfinches to your garden.
Bird Food
Frequently Asked Questions
What attracts Goldfinches to the garden?
The best way to attract Goldfinches to your garden is by putting up a hanging tube feeder and filling it with sunflower hearts. Niger seed will also help attract Goldfinches, but note that you’ll need a special feeder with small ports to prevent the seed from flowing out.
What time of day are Goldfinches most active?
Like virtually all songbirds, Goldfinches are most active first thing in the morning. This is especially true during the spring months when male birds are singing in order to attract a mate and define their territory, though during the winter months the priority at first light is to find food.
Where is the best place to put a Goldfinch feeder?
The best place for a Goldfinch feeder is in a relatively open area of a garden – so perhaps hanging from a branch of a solitary tree, or from a feeding station situated on a lawn.
What is the best bird seed for Goldfinches?
The best type of seed for Goldfinches is sunflower hearts and Niger seed.
What is the best bird house for Goldfinches?
Goldfinches don't use bird houses or bird nest boxes, but instead build a nest at the end of tree branches, a bush or hedge such as Leylandii.
When do Goldfinches nest?
Goldfinches usually start to nest during late April, and with two or possibly even three broods raised, it can be late July before the last of the young have fledged.
How long does a Goldfinch live for?
The average lifespan of the Goldfinch is about 2 years, though there are records of the species living as long as 10 years.