The goldfinch is a small songbird native to Europe that has been introduced to other parts of the world. In India, the goldfinch is known by a few different common names.
Opening Summary
The goldfinch goes by the common names of “thooni” or “tooni” in Hindi and other North Indian languages. In Bengali, it is called “kanthshakun”. The goldfinch has bright yellow plumage that gives it its name, and it is a popular cage bird in India. Its scientific name is Carduelis carduelis.
Description and Identification
The goldfinch is a small finch measuring 12-13 cm in length and weighing between 14-19 grams. The sexes are similar in appearance. It has a red face, black and white head, yellow body, black wings with yellow wing bars, and black tail with white markings. The bill is short and conical. Juveniles have a duller plumage and lack the red face.
Some key identification features of the goldfinch in India include:
- Bright yellow underparts and body
- Black and white head pattern
- Short conical bill
- Red patch on the face
- Black wings with yellow wing bars
- Black tail with white markings
The goldfinch is very similar to the European goldfinch. It makes a pleasant musical twittering call often given in flight. The goldfinch can be found in a variety of open woodland and cultivated habitats including gardens across India.
Geographic Range in India
The goldfinch is found in various parts of India including:
- Northern and northwestern India
- Central India
- Eastern India
- Western India
- Southern India
It is resident across its range in India and does not migrate. The goldfinch adapts well to cities and can be found in urban parks and gardens. It is more common in the hills than in the plains.
Habitat
The goldfinch occupies a range of open habitats across its range in India including:
- Cultivated areas like orchards, farmland, and gardens
- Open woodlands
- Pine forests
- Scrub and grasslands
- Urban parks and gardens
It is often found in small flocks foraging on the ground or feeding on seeds in bushes and trees. It nests in trees, laying 4-6 eggs in a neat nest.
Food and Feeding
The goldfinch is mainly granivorous, feeding on a variety of small seeds. Its typical foods include:
- Seeds of trees like maples, birches, alders
- Fruit seeds
- Seeds of vegetables and agricultural crops
- Grass and herb seeds
- Buds, berries, and insects
It forages on the ground in open areas or feeds in bushes and trees. It sometimes hangs upside down to reach for seeds. The goldfinch plays an important role is dispersing seeds and pollination.
Behavior and Nesting
The goldfinch is social and gregarious, usually found in small flocks outside the breeding season. Courtship displays include the male flying in undulating motions while singing. It breeds across much of India from March to September.
Key aspects of its breeding biology include:
- Nests in trees, bushes, or creepers
- Makes a neat cup-shaped nest
- Lays 4-6 bluish-white eggs
- Incubation lasts 11-14 days
- Young fledge in about 2 weeks
Both parents build the nest and care for the young. The goldfinch produces several broods in a season. It bathes frequently by dipping into water.
Status and Conservation
The goldfinch has an extensive global range and large population. Its status in India is:
- Resident across India
- Common in many areas
- Not considered threatened
- Can adapt well to human habitats
- No special conservation measures required
In fact, the goldfinch has expanded its range in parts of India due to habitat modification like deforestation. However, it faces some threats from trapping for the pet trade and habitat loss.
Significance
The goldfinch has cultural significance in India. Some key points include:
- Popular cage bird due its attractive colors and pleasant song
- Often appears in Indian miniature paintings
- Depicted in Mughal art and paintings
- Symbolism related to nature, endurance, renewal in Indian art
It also plays varied ecological roles in India as a granivore, insectivore, pollinator and seed disperser. The goldfinch contributes to balancing ecosystems across its Indian range.
Conclusion
To conclude, the goldfinch is known by the common names “thooni” or “tooni” in Hindi and other North Indian languages. It has a wide distribution across India in a variety of open habitats. With its bright yellow plumage and musical song, the goldfinch holds cultural significance and is a popular cage bird. It serves varied ecological functions related to pollination and seed dispersal. The goldfinch remains common and resilient across most of its Indian range.
References
Some key references and sources for more information on the goldfinch in India include:
- Grimmett, R., Inskipp, C., Inskipp, T. (2012). Birds of the Indian Subcontinent. London: Oxford University Press.
- Kazmierczak, K. (2000). A Field Guide to the Birds of India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and the Maldives. London: OM Books International.
- Rasmussen, P.C., Anderton, J.C. (2012). Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide. Washington DC and Barcelona: Smithsonian Institution and Lynx Edicions.
- Neelakantan K.K. (1957). “Avifauna of the Mysore State”. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society. 54 (2&3): 299–439.
- Dandin, S. R., Girish, M. D. (2019). “Diversity and status of avifauna in and around Mysore city, southern India”. Journal of Threatened Taxa. 11 (15): 14932–14943.
Similar Species
Some birds that could potentially be confused with the goldfinch in parts of India include:
Red Avadavat
- Scientific name: Amandava amandava
- Small red and brown finch
- Red bill and red throat
- No black and white head
- Distributed in drier parts of India
European Goldfinch
- Scientific name: Carduelis carduelis
- Native to Europe, introduced in some areas
- Very similar plumage
- No major differences in appearance
- Found in parts of northern and northeastern India
Twite
- Scientific name: Linaria flavirostris
- Small finch with yellow bill
- Dull brown upperparts
- Lacks bright yellow underparts
- Winters in parts of northern India
Proper identification usually requires a clear view and focusing on key features like the black and white head pattern, red face patch, conical bill, yellow plumage, and vocalizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What family does the goldfinch belong to?
The goldfinch belongs to the family Fringillidae, which includes finches and Hawaiian honeycreepers. This family is part of the larger order Passeriformes, or perching birds.
What’s the lifespan of a goldfinch?
The typical lifespan of a goldfinch is 5 to 7 years. However, individuals in captivity can live longer, with the record being more than 14 years.
How did the goldfinch spread to other continents?
The goldfinch was deliberately introduced by humans to areas like Australia and New Zealand in the 19th century. It spread through the pet trade and escapes from captivity. Its ability to adapt enabled it to establish populations.
What time of year do goldfinches breed?
Goldfinches breed during the spring and summer months, approximately from March to September across most of their Indian range. The timing depends on monsoon patterns.
Do both male and female goldfinches sing?
Yes, both male and female goldfinches are capable of singing. However, the males sing more frequently, especially long vocalizations to attract mates and defend territories.
Why do goldfinches have such bright yellow plumage?
The bright yellow plumage provides camouflage when goldfinches feed among yellow wildflowers. It also plays a role in attracting mates and visual communication. The carotenoid pigments produce the yellow coloration.