BIRDPEX – protected bird species, European goldfinch b

European goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) In late autumn, as the meadows lose their green freshness and turn inconspicuously brown, we see flocks of goldfinches visiting the heads of the plumeless thistles and teasels that are rich in seeds, and bringing life to the landscape, which is preparing to sink into hibernation, with their cheerful red and yellow feather and joyous chirping. The diet based on seeds from the flower heads of teasels and plumeless thistles (Carduus is a scientific name for the plants of the genus called plumeless thistle) is responsible equally for both the Croatian and the scientific name of these birds. The goldfinch is a bird in the finch family, it is rather small, about 12 cm long, with uniquely colored body with a reddish-white-black head and yellow stripes on the wings. The seeds of many plant species, not only weeds but also trees, make up almost the entire diet of goldfinches. However, as with most seed-eating birds, goldfinches feed their hatchlings in the nest with insects and their larvae, as the hatchlings need to be fed protein-rich foods in order to grow. They normally lay 4 to 6 eggs in the nest and the raising of broods only takes a month. Due to this, goldfinches can have two and sometimes three broods during one nesting season. The European goldfinch is a widespread and common bird species. They nest on trees along the open forests and the edges of forests, orchards, parks, and other open habitats with trees – usually near where humans live. They are partially migratory: a part of the bird population that migrates spends most winters in the Mediterranean, and another part is sedentary. In Croatia, goldfinches can be seen and heard around us all year round, and during the winter they are the most welcome visitors of bird feeders. They are known for their beautiful birdsong and can be heard all year round, usually in the spring. Goldfinches are popular among people thanks to their beautiful birdsong and colorful body, so they are often kept in cages as pets. In the past, people would often trap goldfinches in the wild with the intention of selling them, killing many in the process. Today, wild birds are fortunately no longer allowed to be captured, only farmed birds may be kept in cages. Apart from the somber side of the relationship between humans and goldfinches, there is also the somewhat more beautiful one – goldfinches are a frequent motif in art. They are often found in Renaissance paintings, like Raphael’s “Madonna of the Goldfinch”, but they are also found as motifs in music, including Vivaldi’s “The Goldfinch”, a concerto for flute and orchestra.