European Goldfinch vs Eurasian Siskin

Carduelis carduelis compared with Spinus spinus

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute European Goldfinch Eurasian Siskin
Scientific Name Carduelis carduelis Spinus spinus
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) 14.3 cm (5.6 in)
Weight 16.0 g (0.56 oz) 13.833333333333334 g (0.49 oz)
Diet Seeds, especially thistle (Carduus) and teasel seeds, extracted with its precise tweezer-like bill. Also takes … --
Clutch Size 4-6 3-5
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
European Goldfinch 13.0 cm
Eurasian Siskin
Wingspan
European Goldfinch 23.0 cm
Eurasian Siskin 14.3 cm
Weight
European Goldfinch 16.0 g
Eurasian Siskin 13.833333333333334 g
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

European Goldfinch only

Eurasian Siskin only

None

European Goldfinch

Open woodland, orchards, gardens, parks, and weedy fields with seed-bearing plants. Common at garden bird feeders.

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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.

Eurasian Siskin

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Geographic Range & Migration

European Goldfinch

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

Eurasian Siskin

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

European Goldfinch

Least Concern

Eurasian Siskin

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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

Eurasian Siskin

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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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Related Comparisons

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