European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelis
Striking finch with bold red face, black-and-white head pattern, and vibrant yellow wing bars. Seeds on native thistles and sunflowers; year-round Bay Area resident visiting gardens in small flocks.
Plants that support European Goldfinch
4 plants
Alameda County Thistle
Cirsium quercetorum
perennial herb
Seed consumption for overwintering populations; important winter food
Bay Area native
Alpine Self-heal
Prunella vulgaris var. lanceolata
perennial herb
Fall migration and winter seed foraging
Bay Area native
Common sunflower
Helianthus annuus
annual
Primary seed resource during fall migration and winter, especially Sep-Nov
Bay Area nativeKeystone species
Red Alder
Alnus rubra
tree
Harvests alder seeds in late fall and winter
Bay Area nativeKeystone species