European Goldfinch vs Gold-naped Finch

Carduelis carduelis compared with Pyrrhoplectes epauletta

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute European Goldfinch Gold-naped Finch
Scientific Name Carduelis carduelis Pyrrhoplectes epauletta
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) 15.2 cm (6.0 in)
Weight 16.0 g (0.56 oz) 19.0 g (0.67 oz)
Diet Seeds, especially thistle (Carduus) and teasel seeds, extracted with its precise tweezer-like bill. Also takes … --
Clutch Size 4-6 --
Population Trend — —

Size Comparison

Body Length
European Goldfinch 13.0 cm
Gold-naped Finch —
Wingspan
European Goldfinch 23.0 cm
Gold-naped Finch 15.2 cm
Weight
European Goldfinch 16.0 g
Gold-naped Finch 19.0 g

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

European Goldfinch only

Gold-naped 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

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.

Gold-naped Finch

Geographic Range & Migration

European Goldfinch

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

Gold-naped Finch

Conservation Status

Least Concern

European Goldfinch

Least Concern

Gold-naped Finch

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

Gold-naped 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.

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