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The European goldfinch is known for its sociable nature, often forming flocks in the winter. It is a frequent visitor to bird feeders, particularly in the colder months.
The goldfinch's song is a delightful, silvery twittering, while its call is a melodic tickeLIT. Its song comprises a tinkling medley of trills and twitters, always including the tri-syllabic call phrase.
The female goldfinch solely constructs the nest, which is often situated several meters above ground, camouflaged by leaves. The nest is made of mosses and lichens, lined with plant down, and secured with spider silk. Eggs are laid at daily intervals, typically resulting in a clutch of 4-6 eggs. Incubation lasts 11-13 days, with the female being fed by the male. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge 13-18 days after hatching.
Goldfinches have a preference for small seeds, such as those from thistles and teasels, but will also consume insects when feeding young. They are particularly drawn to bird feeders offering niger seed.
