Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis), is also a small passerine bird in the finch family that is native to Europe, North Africa and western Asia. It has been introduced to other areas including Australia, New Zealand and Uruguay.

Goldfinches are commonly kept and bred in captivity around the world because of their distinctive appearance and pleasant song. If goldfinches are kept with canaries, they tend to lose their native song and call in favour of their cage-mates' songs. This is considered un-desirable as it detracts from the allure of keeping goldfinches.

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.