An average European goldfinch is about 12-13 cm in length, with a wingspan of 21-25 cm and a weight of 14-19 g. The male and female birds appear similar, with a red face, black and white head, brown upper parts, white underparts with buff flanks and breast patches, and black and yellow wings. Male goldfinches can sometimes be distinguished by a larger and darker red mask that extends behind the eye. The shoulder feathers are black for males and brown for females, and the red face of females does not extend past the eye. The bill is long and pointed, and the tail is forked. During breeding season, the bill is pale with a grey or black mark at the tip, while juveniles have a plain head and a greyish back with a yellow wing stripe. After breeding season, birds undergo molting, with some starting in July and others not completing until November. This period of molting results in a