Carduelis carduelis - Goldfinch

This beautiful resident bird is easy to recognise; and, unlike many other finches, male and female goldfinches are very similar in appearance

The main sources of food for goldfinches are weed seeds - thistles seem to be a particular favourite - and small insects.

Goldfinches build neat little nests, using moss, lichen, wool and thistle down. The most common place to see them nesting is in a small tree or a bush, where they produce typically four to six off-white eggs covered in purple-brown speckles.

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