European Goldfinch Identification

Adult

A small finch with a long, pointed bill; black wings; large yellow wing patch; and strongly notched black tail. Adult has a striking red, white, and black head; tan upperparts; mostly white underparts; and a light brown wash across the breast.

Juvenile

Juvenile is duller than adult, with a plain brownish-gray head, streaked brownish upperparts, and finely streaked underparts.

Adult

A small finch with a long, pointed bill. Adult has a showy red, white, and black head; light brown across the breast and on the back; and black wings with a bold yellow patch.

Adult

Adult has brown upperparts, a bright yellow patch on black wings, a white rump; and a strongly notched black tail with white spots near the tip.

Adult

During the breeding season, occurs in open woodlands, forest edges, orchards, parks, gardens, and other habitats with scattered trees and shrubs.

Adult

Adults eat mainly seeds, using their long, pointed bill to extract seeds from thistles, teasels, burdocks, and other plants. Note the prominent yellow wing stripe when bird takes flight (at end of video).

Often gathers in large flocks during the winter. In flight, note the black wings and bold yellow wing stripe.

Adult

Both sexes sing a lively song of tinkling notes, trills, and buzzes.

Juvenile

Juvenile shares adult’s black wings and yellow wing patch, but is otherwise duller, with streaky brown head, breast, and upperparts.