Carduelis carduelis - Goldfinch
Feather characters. Barbules are extremely short (0.43-0.58 mm) and divided into pigmented nodes and unpigmented internodes. Bell-shaped nodes are equally distributed along the entire length of barbules (38-40 per mm). They all are about the same size, slightly decreasing towards distal end. Villi are rounded and internodes are straight. Minute prongs are present on distal end of barbules and on both sides of the pennulum. Barbules have this typical structure for Passeriformes; pigmented, bell-shaped nodes combined with rounded villi.
Field characters. Size 12 cm. Weight 15.6 g (13.4-17.8) (Dunning, 1993). Male and female similar in plumage. Conspicuous black and yellow wings; black and white tail; bright red, black and white head; brown mantle. Juvenile with grey-isabelline head and upper parts, with brown streaks and spots. Flight undulating and 'dancing'. Gregarious. Nests in trees, far from the trunk, sometimes in hedges and bushes.
Voice. Unmistakably. A fluent "tswit-wit-wit-wit" or "steegeleet", repeated again and again. Song a canary-like twitter, mixed with call.
Distribution. Fairly common resident, but summer visitor in north and east of region. Map: see MapIt.
Habitat. In open wooded areas, orchards, and parks. Prefers wastelands with herbs nearby.
Food. Mainly seeds, but also insects, especially in summer.