European Goldfinch
(Carduelis Carduelis)
Common Names: European Goldfinch, Australian Goldfinch
Description: European Goldfinches have a long slender beige beak which at maturity has a black tint on the tip. Black surrounds the beak and is followed by a red-orange face mask over beige. The cap of the head is black and narrows down the neck. The tawny brown colored back and black wings are accented with gold-yellow wing coverts and white-beige pearls. European Goldfinches have a white abdomen and the chest resembles a tawny-white molted pied. The tail is black with white pearls. There are slight differences between male and female but they can go unnoticed to an untrained eye. In the male European Goldfinches the red-orange face mask extends to the edge of the eyes or beyond unlike the mask of the females which stops half past the eye. The shoulder of the wings on males is black while the females are a duller shade of brown-black.
Size: These are fairly hardy birds which normaly range about 5 inches (12.5cm).
Origin: As the name insist the European Goldfinch originated in Europe spreading from the UK to Asia and North Africa.
Mutations/Sub-species: The European Goldfinch comes in a variety of mutations including: Tawny, Agate, Isabella, Pastel, Satinè, Yellow, Opal and Albino. The sub-species include: American Goldfinch (Carduelis Tristis) and the Himalayan Goldfinch ( Carduelis Caniceps). The Himalayan resembles the European Goldfinch except that it has an absence of black markings and tawny plumage is replaced with grey. Goldfinches have been cross breed with Canaries, Siskins and Linnets. Click the button below to see and learn more about European Goldfinch mutations. It is a great Sicilian site by M. Natale.
Diet: A good Goldfinch diet must include a mixture of millets, cereal seeds, canary grass seeds, green food and live food. These birds are especially fond of Safflower, Thistle and sprouted seeds. They will require more green food when breeding. While they are not as insectivorous as some birds they do enjoy live food. Ant eggs, small mealworms, waxworms and fruit fly larva can be mixed in with soft food and offered daily. Fresh water, cuttlebone and grit should also be supplied at all times. Lettuce, Spinach, Chickweed, Spray Millet, Eggfood, Brocolli tops and Carrot tops can also be offered on a regular basis.
General Care: These birds require routine nail trimming. Provide bath water daily.
Compatibility: European Goldfinches can be kept in a mixed aviary with birds of similar size or in individual pairs.
Housing: Many European Goldfinches are house in individual breeding cages much like Canaries. However, they will thrive in a large planted aviary with plenty of room to fly and sing. These birds are quit the acrobat and can be seen hanging upside down on perches and twirling off one perch to another.
Song: European Goldfinches are well noted for their "wild-type" Canary-like song. Their song has many ranges which is why it is being cross bred with Canaries...to improve the Canary's song. The female Goldfinch does sing but her song is not as full. Click the button below to hear the male European Goldfinches song.
Breeding: European Goldfinches prefer a Canary nest positioned in a high sheltered spot such as the corner of a cage. Nesting material supplied can be dried moss, feathers, or soft Canary nesting material. The average clutch consist of 4-6 eggs which hatch after 14-17 days. The hen incubates the eggs alone for the most part while the male guards the nest. After the eggs hatch it is important to supply the parents with adequate Teasel, greenfood, eggfood and livefood. The young E. Goldfinches will fledge around 2 weeks old. The male then assumes feeding responsibilities until the young are weaned.
Price List:
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Mutation
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Price Per Pair
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$100.00 Pair
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$120.00 Pair
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Himalayan Goldfinch
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$140.00 Pair
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