Species group · Birds

Goldfinches

WAnimals has 2 species of goldfinch, all in the family Fringillidae.

2 species
1 family
74 countries
270 parks
Weight
11 g – 20 g
Length
11 cm – 13.5 cm
Lifespan
3 – 11 years

Ranges calculated from the entries that record the figure, not from all 2.

All 2 species of goldfinches on WAnimals

Each one has its own full entry. This group does not replace them: it brings them together.

Conservation status

2 Least Concern

No species documented in this group is genuinely at risk according to the IUCN, with the data available today.

See the global conservation status

Where they live

Recorded in 74 countries. The ones with the most species in the group:

Where to see them

Did you know…

  • It was chosen SEO/BirdLife's Bird of the Year 2026 by public vote, ahead of the Eurasian skylark and the European shag.

    From European Goldfinch

  • Its song has earned it centuries of illegal trapping for the cage-bird trade, now regulated by European legislation; it remains one of its main threats.

    From European Goldfinch

  • Antonio Vivaldi dedicated a flute concerto to it, "Il Cardellino" (RV 428), in which the soloist repeatedly imitates its song.

    From European Goldfinch

  • It breeds very late, in July, to make use of the thistledown it lines its nest with.

    From American Goldfinch

  • It shares a genus with the Eurasian siskin (Spinus spinus), already in this catalogue: both moved from Carduelis to Spinus in the same revision.

    From American Goldfinch

  • It is one of the most popular feeder birds in North America.

    From American Goldfinch

Ecosystems

See every species group · Explore the species one by one