Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelis
Length 12cm

One of our most colourful birds and the only one with bright yellow wingbars and a white rump. Adult has red and white on face, black cap extending down sides of neck, buffish back, and white underparts with buff flanks. Juvenile has brown, streaked plumage but yellow wingbars as in adult. Common and widespread resident in Britain and Ireland except N Scotland. Favours wasteground and meadows where narrow, pointed bill is used to feed on seeds of thistles and teasels in particular. Usually seen in small flocks which take to the wing with tinkling flight calls. Male's song is twittering but contains call-like elements.