The European goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) is a bird of the family Fringillidae, in the order Passeriformes.
Quick answer
The European goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) is a small, colourful finch with a red face, black-and-white head and a broad gold bar on black wings. It feeds on the seeds of thistles, teasels and other plants and is a common visitor to garden feeders. It lives across Europe, North Africa and western Asia and has been introduced to Australia and New Zealand. It is listed as Least Concern.
Top questions about the European Goldfinch
European Goldfinch facts at a glance
- Weight 16 g
- Lifespan 2 years
| Scientific name | Carduelis carduelis |
|---|---|
| Diet | Small seeds, especially thistle and teasel; insects for chicks |
| Habitat | Open woodland, scrub, farmland, parks and gardens |
| Weight | About 16 g |
| Lifespan | Typically 2 years; oldest ringed bird 10 years |
| Range | Europe, North Africa and western and central Asia |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN Red List, assessed 2019) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Fringillidae |
| Genus | Carduelis |
Where it lives
The european goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) is native to Europe, North Africa and western and central Asia; introduced to Australia and New Zealand. — recorded across Europe, Asia, Africa in this guide’s range summary.
For occurrence records, see GBIF species search and sources below.
What is a group of european goldfinches called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of European Goldfinches is called a charm.
Baby name
A baby European Goldfinch is called a chick.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
Identification
Adults have a bright red face, a white cheek and a black crown, a warm brown back, and black wings with a broad yellow band and white spots. Young birds lack the red face until their first autumn. The song is a liquid, tinkling twitter.
Seed specialists
The goldfinch's fine, pointed bill lets it pull seeds from thistles, teasels and other plants that bigger finches cannot reach. Its scientific name comes from carduus, the Latin word for thistle.
A charm of goldfinches
Goldfinches feed and travel in small, twittering flocks known as 'charms'. Their bright colours made them a symbol in medieval and Renaissance paintings, and they were once widely trapped as cage birds.
Status
BirdLife International lists the European goldfinch as Least Concern (2019), estimating 101 to 155 million mature birds, though it reports a decreasing trend. BTO data give a typical life expectancy of 2 years; the oldest ringed bird lived 10 years.
Explore the European Goldfinch
Close relatives
- Canary Same family
- American Goldfinch Same family
- Common Chaffinch Same family
- House Sparrow Same order
Range & geography
Did you know? European Goldfinch facts
- A group of goldfinches is called a charm.
- The name Carduelis comes from carduus, Latin for thistle.
Conservation status of the European Goldfinch
The European goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Least Concern (LC) is the IUCN's lowest-risk category, assigned to widespread, abundant species that have been evaluated and found not to be threatened. It does not mean a species faces no pressures — only that it is not currently at risk of extinction.
European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) was most recently assessed for the IUCN Red List in 2019. Look up on the IUCN Red List .
Frequently asked questions about the European Goldfinch
What is a group of goldfinches called?
A charm.
What do goldfinches eat?
Mainly small seeds such as thistle, teasel and dandelion, and nyjer and sunflower hearts at garden feeders.
Is the European goldfinch the same as the American goldfinch?
No. The American goldfinch is a different species in a different genus; males are bright yellow with black caps.
How long do goldfinches live?
Typically about 2 years; the oldest ringed goldfinch lived 10 years.
What is a group of european goldfinches called?
A group of European Goldfinches is called a charm.
What is a baby european goldfinch called?
A baby European Goldfinch is called a chick.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the European Goldfinch:
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IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Least Concern) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Carduelis carduelis, most recently assessed in 2019.
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iNaturalist — observations & photos
Search citizen-science observations and community IDs for Carduelis carduelis. Useful for range checks and recent sightings — not a substitute for formal Red List status.
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GBIF — occurrence data
Global Biodiversity Information Facility species search for Carduelis carduelis. Explore published occurrence records used in range research.
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eBird — bird observations
Cornell Lab eBird target search for European Goldfinch. Check recent checklists and seasonal abundance where birders report this species.
- BirdLife International (2026). Species factsheet: European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis. BirdLife DataZone. Checked 1 November 2026.
IUCN Red List category Least Concern (assessed 2019), population estimate and trend.
- BTO BirdFacts: Goldfinch. British Trust for Ornithology.
Typical lifespan, oldest ringed bird and UK body weight.
- Tobias, J. A. et al. (2022). AVONET: morphological, ecological and geographical data for all birds. Ecology Letters 25: 581–597. doi:10.1111/ele.13898
Average body mass.
- Gill, F., Donsker, D. & Rasmussen, P. (Eds). IOC World Bird List v15.2.
English and scientific name, classification and range.
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