European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelis

>> GENERAL >>>>>
– small passerine, smaller than a sparrow
– diurnal migrant
– flocks usually very noisy, typical call easily heard

>> FLIGHT >>>>>
– migratory flocks comprise often 2-30 individuals, sometimes up to 100, exceptionally more
– flight quite fast but, not hectic, but fluttering; somewhat “hopping”
– sometimes mixed with single Common Linnets

>> VISUAL ID >>>>>
– noticeably smaller than Common Chaffinch
– yellow wing patches give a good ID feature also at greater distances, especially in turning flocks

BIF873_GRIMM_130818_egofin-AD-1CY-FL_d_hessen
European Goldfinch Carduelis c. carduelis, AD, 1CY
BIF0873, 18/08/2013, Hessen, Germany, Martin Grimm

BIF874_MPU_CI1Q0831_151226_egofin-FL_egfin-4_d_havelland
European Goldfinch Carduelis c. carduelis
European Greenfinch Chloris c. chloris

BIF0874, 26/12/2015, Havelland, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF875_MPU_CI1Q0850_151226_egofin-FL_egfin-2_d_havelland
European Goldfinch Carduelis c. carduelis
European Greenfinch Chloris c. chloris

BIF0875, 26/12/2015, Havelland, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF876_MPU_I1Q7458_121001_egofin-1CY-AD-FL_egfin-3_d_wermsdorfer-teiche
European Goldfinch Carduelis c. carduelis, AD, 1CY
European Greenfinch Chloris c. chloris

BIF0876, 01/10/2012, Wermsdorfer Teiche, Germany, Mathias Putze


European Goldfinch Carduelis c. carduelis
Common Linnet Linaria c. cannabina
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer m. montanus

BIF1199, 25/01/2017, Brinnis, Germany, Mathias Putze


European Goldfinch Carduelis c. carduelis
BIF3421, 26/11/2020, Weitgendorf, Germany, Patrick Franke
– ID straightforward, even in dense fog


European Goldfinch Carduelis c. carduelis
BIF3423, 26/11/2020, Weitgendorf, Germany, Patrick Franke
– ID straightforward, even in dense fog


European Goldfinch Carduelis c. carduelis
Common Linnet Linaria c. cannabina
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer m. montanus

BIF1201, 25/01/2017, Brinnis, Germany, Mathias Putze


European Goldfinch Carduelis c. carduelis
Common Linnet Linaria c. cannabina

BIF1203, 25/01/2017, Brinnis, Germany, Mathias Putze


European Goldfinch Carduelis c. carduelis
Common Linnet Linaria c. cannabina
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer m. montanus
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla

BIF1204, 25/01/2017, Brinnis, Germany, Mathias Putze


European Goldfinch Carduelis c. carduelis
Common Linnet Linaria c. cannabina

BIF1205, 25/01/2017, Brinnis, Germany, Mathias Putze


European Goldfinch Carduelis c. carduelis
Common Linnet Linaria c. cannabina

BIF1206, 25/01/2017, Brinnis, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF877_MPU_CI1Q0855_151226_egofin-FL_egfin-3_d_havelland
European Goldfinch Carduelis c. carduelis
European Greenfinch Chloris c. chloris

BIF0877, 26/12/2015, Havelland, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF878_MPU_PUM8903_120110_egofin-6_d_schadebach
European Goldfinch Carduelis c. carduelis
BIF0878, 10/01/2012, Schadebacher Teiche, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF879_MPU_PUM8901_120110_egofin-FL_egfin-1_d_schadebach
European Goldfinch Carduelis c. carduelis
European Greenfinch Chloris c. chloris

BIF0879, 10/01/2012, Schadebacher Teiche, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF880_MPU_CI1Q0876_151226_egofin-FL_d_havelland
European Goldfinch Carduelis c. carduelis
BIF0880, 26/12/2015, Havelland, Germany, Mathias Putze


European Goldfinch Carduelis c. carduelis
BIF1067, 20/01/2017, Ölzschau, Germany, Mathias Putze


European Goldfinch Carduelis c. carduelis
BIF1068, 20/01/2017, Ölzschau, Germany, Mathias Putze

>> SOUND ID >>>>>

BIF890-3_PFR04491_1-10_101029_egofin-carduelis-1-FC_d_th_altenf_REF-S
European Goldfinch Carduelis c. carduelis, calls during migration
BIF0890, 20/10/2010, Altenfeld, Germany, Patrick Franke

BIF891-3_PFR09901_1-10_140328_egofin-carduelis-30-FC_d_sn_werb-see_REF-S
European Goldfinch Carduelis c. carduelis, 30, calls in flight
BIF0891, 28/03/2014, Werbeliner See, Germany, Patrick Franke

>> COMPARISON SPECIES >>>>>

European Greenfinch
Eurasian Siskin
#songbird #passerine

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