Goldfinch

About

The goldfinch is a small, brightly colored songbird known for its distinctive red face, golden-yellow wing bars, and melodic, twittering song. Native to Europe, North Africa, and western and central Asia, goldfinches are often spotted in gardens, and in open, partially wooded lowlands, where they feed primarily on seeds — especially from thistles and teasels. In the 19th century, they were popular as cage birds because of their beautiful appearance and sweet singing voice, but conservation efforts have helped protect their wild populations.

An interesting fact about goldfinches is their symbolic significance — in European art and folklore, they’ve often been associated with Christ's Passion and his crown thorns, due to their fondness for thistle seeds. Antonio Vivaldi composed a Concerto in D major for Flute "Il Gardellino", where the singing of the European goldfinch is imitated by a flute.