What is Goldfinch?
{{Taxobox | name = Goldfinch | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | ststus_ref =<ref>{{IUCN2006|assessors=BirdLife International|year=2004|id=53446|title=Carduelis carduelis|downloaded=12 May 2006}}</ref> | image = Carduelis carduelis -Quinton, Birmingham, England-8.jpg | image_caption=In [[Birmingham]], England | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] | classis = [[bird|Aves]] | ordo = [[passerine|Passeriformes]] | familia = [[finch|Fringillidae]] | genus = ''Carduelis'' | range_map = Carduelis carduelis map.png | range_map_caption = ''Carduelis carduelis carduelis''<br>1 summer 2 all year<br>''Carduelis carduelis caniceps''<br>3 summer 4 all year }} [[File:Carduelis carduelis2.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Feeding on [[thistle]]s - note thistledown in bill]] [[File:Carduelis carduelis -United Kingdom -two at garden bird feeder-8.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Two on a garden birdfeeder in the UK]] '''Goldfinch''' are [[finch]]es of the [[genus]] '''''Carduelis'''''. They are small [[passerine]] birds of the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Fringillidae]].<ref>Clement P; Harris A. & Davis J. 1993. ''Finches & sparrows''. Helm. {{ISBN|0-7136-8017-2}}</ref><ref>Svensson L. 1992. Identification guide to European passerines. {{ISBN|91-630-1118-2}}</ref> The goldfinch breeds across [[Europe]], [[North Africa]], and western and central [[Asia]], in open, partially wooded lowlands. It is resident in the milder west of its range, but [[bird migration|migrates]] from colder regions. It will also make local movements, even in the west, to escape bad weather. It has been introduced to many areas of the world.<ref>Snow D.W. & Perrins C.M. 1998. ''The birds of the western palearctic''. Oxford University Press. {{ISBN|0-19-854099-X}}.</ref> The goldfinch's preferred food is small [[seed]]s such as those from [[thistle]]s and [[Dipsacus|teasels]], but insects are also taken when feeding young. It also regularly visits bird feeders in winter. They nest in the outer twigs of tall leafy trees, or even in bamboo, laying four to