European Goldfinch

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European Goldfinch
European Goldfinch
European Goldfinch
European Goldfinch

European Goldfinch

Carduelis carduelis


Breeds September-December. Builds a cup-shaped nest in shrubs or introduced trees.


Details Description
Type
Bird
Group
Finches and Sparrows
Identifying Characteristics

Male and female similar with a red face bordered white, black crown, nape, tail and wings. Broad yellow wing bar and white rump. Immatures are brown and streaked however the wings and tail are colored like adults. Size 12-13.5 cm.

Distinctive Markings

Distinctive red face bordered with white with a black crown and nape. Yellow wing-bars.

Diet

Omnivore, feeding on small seeds e.g. the introduced Scotch Thistle, and insects in the summer.

Habitat

Grasslands, farmlands, roadsides, weedy areas.

Native Status
Introduced
Sounds
Canary like trills and chirps "tswit-tsiewt-tswit-swit-zwee-tzwee".
Taxonomy
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Fringillidae
Genus
Carduelis
Species
carduelis
European Goldfinch
Native to western Europe, north Africa to central Asia. Distributed throughout Victoria, Tasmania, south-eastern South Australia and coastal New South Wales and southern coastal Queensland.

Distribution maps indicate current and historic locations where species have been sighted.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Conservation Status
DEPI Advisory List
Not listed
FFG Act
Not listed
EPBC Act
Not listed

The conservation status of species is listed within Victoria and Australia.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) Advisory List consists of non-statutory advisory lists of rare or threatened flora and fauna within Victoria.

The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) lists threatened species in Victoria. Under the Act, an Action Statement is produced for each listed species.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s key piece of environmental legislation, listing nationally threatened native species and ecological communities.

Audio samples: