Description European goldfinch

two c. c. caniceps in tabo, himachal pradesh

the average goldfinch 12–13 cm (4.7–5.1 in) long wingspan of 21–25 cm (8.3–9.8 in) , weight of 14 19 g (0.49 0.67 oz). sexes broadly similar, red face, black , white head, warm brown upperparts, white underparts buff flanks , breast patches, , black , yellow wings.

on closer inspection male goldfinches can distinguished larger, darker red mask extends behind eye. in females, red face not extend past eye. ivory-coloured bill long , pointed, , tail forked. goldfinches in breeding condition have white bill, greyish or blackish mark @ tip rest of year. juveniles have plain head , greyer unmistakable due yellow wing stripe. birds in central asia (caniceps group) have plain grey head behind red face, lacking black , white head pattern of european , western asian birds. adults moult after breeding season individuals beginning in july , others not completing moult until november. after moult birds appear less colourful, until tips of newly grown feathers wear away.

the song pleasant silvery twittering. call melodic tickelit, , song pleasant tinkling medley of trills , twitters, including trisyllabic call phrase or tellit-tellit-tellit.