Five facts about goldfinches

RSPB Scotland’s Allie McGregor shares five facts about one of our common garden visitors. 

Five facts about goldfinches 

A goldfinch by any other name… 

Goldfinches have been known by many regional names. Some of these include goldy, draw-water, King Harry redcap and Petaldick. 

The Gaelic name for goldfinch is lasair-choille 

They are very charming 

A group of goldfinches is collectively known as a ‘charm’. While a very fitting description, it actually derives from the Old English c’irm which refers to the tinkling noises produced by a flock. 

Goldfinches were once thought to bring health and good fortune 

The origins of this myth are uncertain, but it could be linked with ancient beliefs of the goldfinch as a symbol for fertility. 

goldfinch perched on a thin curved branch

They were once a popular cage bird 

Unfortunately, goldfinches were once trapped in some numbers to be kept as cage birds as their colourful look and song were coveted. One of the RSPB’s earliest campaigns was against the trade of goldfinches. 

They can be teased out with certain plants 

Goldfinches love teasel! Teasel is great for attracting insects in summer, but goldfinches are particularly fond of them in winter when they can get at the seeds - their beaks are perfectly adapted to extracting them. 

goldfinch facing camera perched on teasel heads

Lavender and dandelions are also favoured by goldfinches, or you can put out nyjer seeds in your feeders.