- Lifespan
- 10–14 years in the wild, with the oldest recorded UK bird being over 14 years old
- Size & Weight
- 12–13 cm, wingspan 21–25 cm; 18–22 g
- Habitat
- Woodlands, hedgerows, gardens, parks, and scrubland with scattered trees and open ground for foraging.
- UK Distribution
- Found throughout the UK as a resident species; populations are supplemented by Continental migrants in autumn and winter, with some UK birds migrating south in winter.
- Diet
- Seeds from teasels, dandelions, thistles, and other small-seeded plants; insects and spiders during breeding season; will visit bird feeders for nyjer and sunflower seeds.
- Predators
- Sparrowhawks, Eurasian kestrels, cats, and corvids; eggs and chicks vulnerable to magpies and jays.
- Mating Season
- April to July
- Breeding
- Clutch of 4–5 eggs; incubation period 11–13 days; fledging at 12–15 days; typically one brood per year, occasionally two.
- Behaviour
- Highly social birds, often seen in flocks outside the breeding season. Males are highly territorial and vocal, with a distinctive, cheerful song. They exhibit strong pair bonds and males display vibrantly to attract females.