If you’ve ever wondered what bird represents the beautiful country of Spain, you’re not alone. Birds can symbolize the spirit and identity of a nation, which is why many countries designate official national birds.
In this article, we’ll explore the regal bird that has come to embody the essence of Spain.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: The European goldfinch is considered to be Spain’s unofficial national bird. With its bright red face and yellow wing patches, the goldfinch is a fitting symbol of the vibrant culture and architecture found across Spain.
The European Goldfinch: A Brief Overview
Physical Description and Habitat
The European goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) is a small songbird native to most of Europe and parts of western Asia. It measures 4.7-5.1 inches in length and weighs between 0.4-0.7 ounces. The goldfinch has a red face, black and white head, bright yellow wing patch, brown back and white underparts.
The sexes are similar in appearance. Goldfinches prefer open countryside with small bushes and trees, gardens, orchards, and farmland. They make nests in trees and bushes and lay 4-6 blue eggs each year.
Goldfinches have a musical twittering song and acrobatic flight. Their long forked tails and bouncy wingbeats make them easily identifiable in the wild. An omnivorous species, the goldfinch feeds mainly on small seeds but also enjoys fruit, buds, and insects.
It often feeds in flocks with other finches.
According to the BirdLife International, the current European goldfinch population is estimated at 5.3-9.7 million breeding pairs, roughly 15-29 million individuals. Populations are generally stable across most of the range.
Diet and Behavior
European goldfinches are sociable, gregarious birds. They feed in flocks and roost in communal nests at night. Their flight call is a pleasant musical twittering. Goldfinches breed in loose colonies, nesting later than most other songbirds.
The nest is neatly woven from plant down, moss and spiders’ webs and lined with plant fibers. It is built in the fork of a branch or bush.
The goldfinch diet consists primarily of small seeds from annual weeds, trees such as birch, alder and conifers, and plants like thistle, teasel, and dandelion. It also eats buds, leaves, and fruits including berries, cherries, and apples.
Caterpillars and other insects are taken especially during the breeding season to feed young. Favorite feeding spots are fields, meadows, forest clearings, gardens, and orchards.
Goldfinches are diurnal and feed mainly in the morning and evening. They search for food on the ground or in bushes and trees. Flocks fly from tree to tree calling to each other. During the breeding season, adults maintain and defend nesting and feeding territories.
Male goldfinches display to females with song and flight displays. Outside the breeding season, they form large flocks of 20 to 50 birds.
The Significance and Symbolism of the European Goldfinch in Spain
Appearances in Spanish Art and Literature
The European goldfinch, with its brightly colored plumage, has long been a popular subject in Spanish art and literature. In paintings, the goldfinch often appears as a companion to the Virgin Mary or baby Jesus, symbolizing the Passion of Christ.
Some of the most famous examples are in works by Spanish Baroque painters like Murillo and Zurbarán.
The goldfinch also frequently appears in poetry and folk songs. One old Spanish poem refers to the goldfinch as the “bird of the thorn” – referencing the fact that in the wild, goldfinches often build their nests in thorny bushes. Folk songs also link the bird to the idea of captivity and freedom.
This symbolism reflects the goldfinch’s popularity as a cage bird in past centuries, though this practice is frowned upon today due to animal welfare concerns.
Connection to the Virgin Mary
In Christian symbolism, the European goldfinch is closely associated with the Virgin Mary. According to legend, a goldfinch tried to remove the crown of thorns from Christ’s head as he carried the cross. As a result, blood splashed on the bird’s head, turning it red.
This story led to the goldfinch becoming a symbol of Christ’s Passion and Resurrection.
Because of this, images of the Virgin Mary holding or accompanied by a goldfinch represent her grief and compassion for her son’s suffering. The red mark on the bird’s head also reminds the viewer that Christ shed his blood for humanity’s salvation.
So in Spain and much of Europe, the goldfinch points to core Christian beliefs surrounding Easter and Christ’s sacrifice.
The goldfinch endures as a cherished bird in Spanish culture. Its bright colors and musical abilities have captivated people for centuries. But beyond its aesthetic appeal, the goldfinch has layered symbolic meaning connecting it to religious themes and stories.
For this reason, it maintains a special significance and is truly Spain’s national bird.
The Movement to Officially Designate the Goldfinch as Spain’s National Bird
In recent years, there has been a growing push in Spain to officially designate the European goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) as the country’s national bird. While the goldfinch is already widely recognized as a symbol of Spain, efforts are underway to make the designation official.
The goldfinch movement originated in the early 2010s among conservation groups like SEO/BirdLife who noted the cultural significance of the goldfinch in Spain. By 2013, an online petition was launched calling on the government to name the goldfinch as the national bird.
This petition gained over 34,000 signatures showing widespread public support.
Advocates for the European goldfinch make a strong case for why it epitomizes Spain. Goldfinches are found across the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands. Their bright yellow and red plumage resembles the colors of the Spanish flag.
Goldfinches have been depicted in Spanish art for centuries such as in paintings by Murillo and Velázquez. Their musical twittering song is celebrated in Spanish literature and poetry.
Perhaps most compelling is the goldfinch’s role in Christian symbolism in Spain. The goldfinch is known as the bird that pulled thorns from Christ’s crown during the crucifixion. It is featured in religious paintings by Zurbarán and other Spanish artists.
The goldfinch represents endurance, sacrifice, and resurrection in Catholic iconography.
Designating an official national bird would require an act of parliament. The goldfinch movement has gained the support of major political parties like the Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) and the People’s Party (PP).
The precedent of other European countries having national birds also lends credibility to the campaign.
Still, there are some who argue that having no designated national bird allows Spain to celebrate all its native species equally. They propose focusing conservation efforts broadly rather than promoting one symbolic bird.
But proponents maintain that the cultural cachet of the goldfinch makes it the ideal ambassador for Spanish wildlife.
Recent polls show over 75% of Spaniards support naming the goldfinch as their national bird. For many, it is the obvious choice to represent Spain’s natural heritage. With momentum growing, the goldfinch could soon hold official status as Spain’s national treasure.
Conclusion
With its bright, colorful plumage and prevalence across the Spanish countryside, it’s easy to see why the European goldfinch has come to embody the spirit of Spain. The goldfinch’s rich symbolic history and cultural significance make it the perfect choice to represent this vibrant nation.
Although not yet officially designated, the European goldfinch can rightly be considered Spain’s national bird.
