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Goldfinch: Carduelis carduelis

An extremely colourful finch with a distinctive red face, black cap and black around its eyes. Its wings are dark with a striking yellow patch, while the breast is a muted grey/brown.

Sociable and a specialist seed feeder, the bird has a short, fine beak perfectly designed for removing tiny seeds from plants such as thistles and teasles. It is also partial to calling in for food from bird tables and feeders.

Goldfinches are quite versatile birds, happy in most habitats, such as trees and bushes, open woodland, farmland, gardens and parks. When not frequenting garden feeders, they can form flocks with other finches and work their way through trees and stubble fields searching for food.

Measuring 12cm, with a wonderful, twittering song and call, some goldfinches are not keen on cold British weather and migrate as far south as Spain during the winter. 

Goldfinch nests are concealed by thick cover a few metres above the ground. They usually lay their eggs in June, often five at a time, and will go on to raise multiple broods in the same year.

Goldfinches love: Henry Bell Superior Seed Mix, No Grow Mix, Peanuts, Sunflower Hearts, Nyger Seeds

 Goldfinch: Carduelis carduelis