Johan Scherft

This small finch is common in fields and parks, where it is often found on thistles (the Latin name is from Carduus, a genus of thistles) and teasels, to feed on the seeds. The hard red feathers on the head protect the forehead and eyes against sharp thorns and twigs while feeding on the thistles. Niger seed and teasels may attract goldfinches in gardens, especially if there are no fields nearby with thistles and dandelions, but they will also feed on sunflower hearts. The bird is strikingly colourful with its mixture of red, black, white and yellow. The sexes are alike.
 

Because of the thistle seeds it eats, in Christian symbolism the goldfinch is associated with Christ's Passion and his crown of thorns. The goldfinch, appearing in pictures of the Madonna and Christ child, represents the foreknowledge Jesus and Mary had of the Crucifixion. 
 

In past times this attractive little bird was often kept as a cagebird, also for its pleasant and lively song. How the goldfinch was kept can be seen on the famous painting 'Het puttertje' by the dutch master Carel Fabritius (1622-1654). The name 'puttertje ' is the official dutch name for the bird. 'Putten' means pulling up water from a watersource. Apparently the agile bird was able to learn to lift up its own water using a small bucket. The goldfinch is native to Europe, North Africa, and western and central Asia.