European Goldfinch

birds · colorful · finches

Incredible markings. The European goldfinch has a bright red face, jet black and white head markings, and golden yellow and black striped wings that make it one of the most beautiful songbirds in Europe.

World traveler. While it originally came from Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia, humans have introduced goldfinches to Australia, New Zealand, Uruguay, and the United States, where they now live and thrive.

Tiny songbird. This small passerine bird is a member of the finch family and sings cheerful songs, which is why it's called a songbird.

Seed specialist. Goldfinches love eating seeds from thistles, teasels, and dandelions, using their pointed beaks to pick out the nutritious seeds from seed heads.

Native range. The goldfinch naturally lives in the Palearctic zone, a huge region that stretches across Europe and into northern Africa and western Asia.