| Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves (Birds) Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae |
European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) is a resident and winter visitor in western and central Himalayas. Size: 13-15 cm; Wingspan: 22-26 cm; Weight: 15-19 g Identification: A highly colored finch with a bright red face, yellow wing patch, brown upperparts and white tertial markings. The ivory-colored bill is long and pointed, and the tail is forked. Sexes alike. Juveniles have a plain head and a greyer back but are unmistakable due to the yellow wing stripe. Habits: Sociable, often breeding in loose colonies. They like trees and bushes with areas of tall weeds nearby. These passerines migrate to southern warmer regions in the winter. Food: Seeds and insects. Call: A liquid, twittering song with trills. Breeding: Nest in outer twigs of tall leafy trees. Eggs: 4-6; Incubation: 11-14 days; Fledging: 13-18 days. |
