European goldfinchStieglitz Carduelis carduelis
Family: Finches and allies
Slighter than a house sparrow, with a red face, black and white head, and a broad gold band across black wings that is obvious in flight. Thistles, teasels and knapweed hold it through late summer, when twittering charms hang on the seed heads and work them clean. It breeds throughout Germany; many remain all year, others move south, and flocks gather in winter.