# thistlefinch

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. Synonym of European goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)

## Etymology
From thistle + finch. Cognate with Dutch distelvink and German Distelfink; compare also the derivation of Latin carduelis. Goldfinch favor thistle seeds for food, and use thistle down as nest material.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/thistlefinch