European Goldfinch

Basic Description

The European Goldfinch is a showy standout even in the colorful world of finches. Adults combine a brilliant red, white, and black head with earthy brown tones and a bold yellow patch on jet-black wings. Juveniles are duller but share the striking yellow-and-black wing pattern. These small finches breed across most of Europe and adjacent Asia and North Africa, in lightly wooded habitats. They often gather in large flocks in weedy fields in the winter. They use their long, pointed bill to pry seeds from burdocks, thistles, sunflowers, and other plants.