Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western , Series 4

Volume 11 Number 7 1970 Article 7

1-1-1970

The European goldfinch in esternW Australia

John L. Long

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Recommended Citation Long, John L. (1970) "The European goldfinch in esternW Australia," Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4: Vol. 11 : No. 7 , Article 7. Available at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture4/vol11/iss7/7

This article is brought to you for free and open access by Research Library. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4 by an authorized administrator of Research Library. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

By J. L. LONG, Research Technician, Agriculture Protection Board

THE Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) or Thistle as it is sometimes called, was found to be established in Supreme Court Gardens, Perth, in 1933, and has been gradually spreading through the metropolitan area since then. It was declared vermin in W.A. in 1919, because of its unknown but potential threat to agriculture if it became established.

In the early 1960s the Agriculture Description Protection Board became concerned when is an extremely pretty large flocks of these were sighted. From November, 1964, to February, 1987, , having red, white and black head the Goldfinch was studied to determine markings, which together with a con­ its significance to agriculture in Western spicuous yellow wing band, serve to Australia. They were found to cause no identify it from a distance. The distinctive damage to agricultural or horticultural head markings are formed by a red fore­ interests. head and chin, white sides of the head

THE EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH 152

Journal of Agriculture, Vol 11 No 7, 1970 and throat, black nape and back of the may have been escapees from aviaries, head. Wings are black, with a bright deliberately released, or possibly progeny yellow band, and with some white blobs from the earlier liberation. on the ends of the . The tail is black, tipped with white blobs and with Present range in W.A. two small white windows on the outer two The Goldfinch is now widely distributed feathers on both sides. The back is brown in the metropolitan area west of the and the breast white. A buff brown band Darling Scarp. The northern limits of extends around the throat to the back, their range include Wanneroo and Upper merging with the brown on the sides. The Swan, with a southern limit of a few miles bill is light coloured in the breeding season south of Armadale, Forrestdale, Bibra and dark tipped in the non-breeding Lake and as far south as Rockingham. season. Within this range they do not appear to Goldfinches are 4 to 5 inches long and be an extremely common bird, but weigh about i ounce. Males and females occasionally large flocks can be noted. look alike and it is difficult to tell them There appear to be no reasons to prevent apart; however, in the breeding season them continuing to spread beyond the the red on the head of males is always limits of this present range. brighter. Young birds are a general grey- Goldfinches were reported established at brown with the yellow wing band, but Albany in 1955. They were noted in 1957, lacking the red, white and black head but have not been recorded again since markings. the early 1960s. Isolated observations at other country centres are thought to Native range relate to aviary escapees. The Goldfinch inhabits , Western Asia and a small part of North Africa. Its Habits range extends from the British Isles to During the breeding season from Sep­ north central Russia and central Siberia, tember to February it is usual to see only south to the Azores, Mediterranean Islands, small flocks. They are generally found , Palestine and south easterly to near, or building nests in, exotic stands West Pakistan and India. Introductions to of trees such as pines, poplars, jacarandas, Pico in the Azores, Bermuda, etc., or feeding in gardens, parks and on and Australia have been successful. In vacant allotments between buildings, and the United States introductions have along grassy river banks, etc. generally failed although the bird has Following the breeding season and coin­ been established for periods in some areas. ciding with the fall off in breeding activity, large numbers of up to 200 birds gather Australian introduction to form drifting flocks. These flocks The first liberations of Goldfinches in largely desert the breeding areas for more Australia occurred in Victoria in 1863-64. open pasture lands, although some remain Arrival of earlier consignments has been and/or return to older established areas recorded, but it is not known whether containing plane trees, the seeds of which these were actually released. Further are used for food. Once the new season's liberations were made in South Australia crop of seeds becomes available in August- in 1879. The species is now present in September, waste areas with plenty of most of the cultivated areas and grass­ weeds become their favourite haunt. The lands of south-east Queensland, New Goldfinch is not often found in areas of South Wales, South Australia (except in virgin bush. the very north), Kangaroo Island, King and Flinders Islands and Tasmania. Foods Goldfinches were liberated in W.A. before In W.A., Goldfinches feed on about 60 1912 as they are included on a list of species of plants, all of which, with only liberations made by the Acclimatization one known exception, have themselves Committee at this date. The first free been introduced. The main food items are living birds were recorded in Supreme the seeds of sunflowers, cape weed and Court Gardens during October, 1933. The other composites, thistles, plane trees, origin of these birds is not known; they goosefoot, crowsfoot, dock, small grass 153

Journal of Agriculture, Vol 11 No 7, 1970 seeds and other small weed seeds. During potential damage to agriculture and likely the breeding season a small quantity of competition with indigenous fauna. The insect material is eaten. Goldfinch does no damage in W.A. at present, and that reported from elsewhere Damage is neither widespread nor severe and occurs In their natural habitat Goldfinches are only in isolated cases. reported to be beneficial and are largely The Goldfinch in W.A. is established in protected. In New Zealand some damage a man-made environment of weeds for has been done to rape seed and straw­ which there are no competitors. Their berries. In Eastern Australia some damage habitat requirements, foods and breeding has been recorded to the buds of apricot habits have not materially changed from trees, but this damage is said to be offset those in their native range where they are by predation upon the apple moth. During protected. It seems extremely doubtful the study in Western Australia no damage that this species will ever become a was found to agricultural or horticultural pest of economic importance in Western interests. Australia. When the pest potential of exotic birds Status in Western Australia is reviewed, it will Exotic species introduced to new lands be possible with this new information, to are treated with disfavour because of their reconsider the status of the Goldfinch.

SHOW DATES ALLOCATED

AGRICULTURAL show dates have been allocated for 1970. The list is approved by the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society in accordance with the Royal Agricultural Society Act. Societies not mentioned have not applied for dates and will not hold shows. KOORDA, Tuesday, August 25 WAROONA, Saturday, October 10 BEVERLEY, Saturday, August 29 HARVEY, Friday and Saturday, October 16 MLNGENEW, Saturday, August 29 and 17. MORAH'A, Wednesday, September 2 NARROGEV, Friday and Saturday, October 16 MT. MARSHALL, Wednesday, September 2 and 17 PERENJORI, Friday, September 4 BINDOON, Saturday, October 17. CORRIGIN, Saturday, September 5 GNOWANGERUP, Saturday October 17 MTJLLEWA, Saturday, September 5 KALAMUNDA, Saturday, October 17 YILGARN, Saturday, September 5 WAGIN, Friday, October 23 YORK, Saturday, September 5 ESPERANCE, Friday and Saturday, October QUAIRADING, Wednesday, September 9 23 and 24. DALWALLLNU, Thursday, September 10 KELMSCOTT, Friday and Saturday, October MERREDIN, Friday and Saturday, September 23 and 24 11 and 12 BRUNSWICK, Saturday, October 24 CHAPMAN VALLEY, Saturday, September 12 KOJONUP, Saturday, October 24 MECKEREVG, Saturday, September 12 KATANNEVG, Friday and Saturday, October CENTRAL MIDLANDS, Tuesday (night) and 30 and 31 Wednesday, September 15 and 16 SOUTHERN DISTRICTS, Friday and Satur­ KELLERBERRLN-TAMMIN, Friday and Sat­ day, October 30 and 31 urday, September 18 and 19 EASTERN HILLS Saturday, October 31 NORTHAM, Friday and Saturday, September UPPER BLACKWOOD, Tuesday, November 3 18 and 19 CANNING, Friday and Saturday, November CARNAMAH, Saturday, September 19 6 and 7 NORTHAMPTON, Saturday, September 19 MT. BARKER, Friday and Saturday, Novem­ TAMBELLUP, Saturday, September 19 ber 6 and 7 PERTH ROYAL, Thursday to Thursday, Sep­ MARGARET RIVER, Saturday, November 7 tember 24 to October 1 ALBANY, Thursday to Saturday, November WICKEPIN, Tuesday, October 6 12 to 14 GD3GEGANNUP, Saturday, November 14 KUKERLN, Wednesday, October 7 WANNEROO, Saturday, November 21 PEVGELLY, Wednesday, October 7 WARREN, Saturday, November 21 BRUCE ROCK, Saturday, October 10 BRIDGETOWN, Saturday, November 28 NYABLNG-PLNGRUP, Saturday, October 10 OSBORNE PARK, Friday and Saturday, SWAN VD2W, Saturday, October 10. December 4 and 5 TOODYAY, Saturday, October 10 COLLIE, Saturday, December 5

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Journal of Agriculture, Vol 11 No 7, 1970