goldfinch
Carduelis carduelis

Attractive brightly coloured finch, once trapped and caged for its liquid song

Habitat: gardens, woods, fields, hedges

Widespread and common, some birds resident but many wintering in France and Iberia

Crimson, white and black face pattern; broad yellow band on black wings; 11–12 cm

Gregarious; small flocks are a familiar sight feeding on thistles and other tall weeds in autumn

Adults feed only on seeds; young also fed on caterpillars and insects

Neat nest of roots, grass, moss and lichen, usually in a spreading tree

Usually 2, sometimes 3, broods May–August; 5 or 6 pale blue eggs, spotted brown