There are few more uplifting sights along the riverside than bushes and shrubs full of colourful Goldfinch as they munch away on the seeds.

The Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis, is a passerine bird in the finch family and is native to Europe, parts of Africa and western Asia, although it has now been introduced into various other parts of the world, such as New Zealand, South and North America.

The male has a red face, black markings around the eyes and a black-and-white head. The back and flanks are buff or chestnut brown. The wings are black with a broad yellow bar. The tail is also black and the rump is white. Males and females are fairly similar, although females have a slightly smaller area of red on the face.

The average European goldfinch is 12–13 cm (4.7–5.1 in) long with a wingspan of 21–25 cm (8.3–9.8 in).

The Goldfinch’s main food is small seeds such as those from thistles (the Latin name is from Carduus, a genus of thistles), cornflowers, and teasels, but insects are also taken when feeding young.

Goldfinch will also quite happily visit bird feeders in winter.