European Goldfinch vs Plain Mountain-finch
Carduelis carduelis compared with Leucosticte nemoricola
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | European Goldfinch | Plain Mountain-finch |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Carduelis carduelis | Leucosticte nemoricola |
| Order | Passeriformes | Passeriformes |
| Family | Fringillidae | Fringillidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 13.0 cm (5.1 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 23.0 cm (9.1 in) | 18.4 cm (7.2 in) |
| Weight | 16.0 g (0.56 oz) | 22.275 g (0.79 oz) |
| Diet | Seeds, especially thistle (Carduus) and teasel seeds, extracted with its precise tweezer-like bill. Also takes … | -- |
| Clutch Size | 4-6 | 3-6 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
European Goldfinch only
Plain Mountain-finch only
None
European Goldfinch
Open woodland, orchards, gardens, parks, and weedy fields with seed-bearing plants. Common at garden bird feeders.
Song & Call Comparison
European Goldfinch
A liquid, tinkling 'swit-swit-swit' in flight and a melodic twittering song. Flocks produce a bright jingling chorus. Male song is a sweet repetitive warble incorporating the flight call.
Plain Mountain-finch
Geographic Range & Migration
European Goldfinch
Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. Introduced to Australia, New Zealand, and parts of South America.
Plain Mountain-finch
Conservation Status
European Goldfinch
Plain Mountain-finch
How to Tell Them Apart
European Goldfinch
Crimson red face with white cheeks and a black crown. Sandy-brown back with a bright yellow wing bar visible in flight. Black and white tail.
Slender, pointed, ivory-pink bill adapted for extracting seeds from thistles
Plain Mountain-finch
About These Birds
European Goldfinch
The European goldfinch is a strikingly beautiful finch whose tinkling song and colorful plumage have made it popular in art and as a caged bird for centuries. It appears frequently in Renaissance paintings as a symbol of the Passion of Christ. Flocks of goldfinches are charmingly called a charm.