European Goldfinch vs Cassia Crossbill

Carduelis carduelis compared with Loxia sinesciuris

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute European Goldfinch Cassia Crossbill
Scientific Name Carduelis carduelis Loxia sinesciuris
Order Passeriformes Passeriformes
Family Fringillidae Fringillidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Not Evaluated
Length 13.0 cm (5.1 in) —
Wingspan 23.0 cm (9.1 in) —
Weight 16.0 g (0.56 oz) 34.675000000000004 g (1.22 oz)
Diet Seeds, especially thistle (Carduus) and teasel seeds, extracted with its precise tweezer-like bill. Also takes … --
Clutch Size 4-6 2-3
Population Trend — —

Size Comparison

Body Length
European Goldfinch 13.0 cm
Cassia Crossbill —
Wingspan
European Goldfinch 23.0 cm
Cassia Crossbill —
Weight
European Goldfinch 16.0 g
Cassia Crossbill 34.675000000000004 g

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

European Goldfinch only

Cassia Crossbill 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

Song

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.

Cassia Crossbill

Geographic Range & Migration

European Goldfinch

Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. Introduced to Australia, New Zealand, and parts of South America.

Cassia Crossbill

Conservation Status

Least Concern

European Goldfinch

Not Evaluated

Cassia Crossbill

How to Tell Them Apart

European Goldfinch

Plumage

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.

Bill

Slender, pointed, ivory-pink bill adapted for extracting seeds from thistles

Cassia Crossbill

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.

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