**2. General view on the European goldfinch**

### **2.1 Geographical distribution of the species**

The geographical distribution of this goldfinch is very wide, it extends from the Atlantic (Ireland) through the Iberian Peninsula, the Madeira Islands and the Canary Islands, North Africa to Lake Baikal in the east of the continent, and this in a band centered on the temperate latitudes. In the north, the species reaches southern Finland and Scandinavia and follows southern Siberia. In the south, this population is fragmented in the extreme northeast of Africa and only becomes continuous from Asia Minor (Turkey). The species bypassing the Caspian Sea from the south linked in

**145**

**Figure 1.**

*The Conservation of European Goldfinch in North Algeria*

where it can evolve and set up its breeding success.

**2.3 Anthropic pressure and threatened species**

the illegal trading (**Figure 2**) [12].

southern Central Asia and then joins Siberia via the Altai. An extension takes place in the western Himalayas. There are 12 subspecies that share this large area. Continental Europe is occupied by the subspecies "*carduelis*", which is known to be sedentary in most of its range. On the other hand, it has been successfully introduced in Australia, Bermuda, and the Azores [8, 9]. In the United States, its introduction dates to the early 1852s in Greenwood Cemetery (Brooklyn, New York) (**Figure 1**) [6].

The goldfinch has been raised in cages for an exceptionally long time for its beautiful plumage and remarkable songs. In some places, notably in the

Mediterranean Basin (and mainly in Algeria) it is the subject of a real local culture, which has a negative effect on its ecological condition and conservation status. The impulsive attitude and spontaneous behavior, in fact hide some factors that illustrate its vulnerability. The destruction of the laying and the rejection of the chicks also add to the fate of the species in captivity. This songbird is easily suitable to the restricted space, but it is better off in an equipped aviary (trap doors/specific cage)

Breeding is mostly done in pairs, but a triplet (male × female × female) can be attempted for better conservation of the species. The opposite case of breeding (male × male × female) is rejected due to territoriality. On the other hand, a conservation problem within the species arises in the case of informal breeding, in fact, the extrinsic hybridization of the species pairs quite easily, not only with the domestic canary (*Serinus canaria domestica*) but with other native or exotic finches, such as European greenfinch (*Chloris chloris*), European siskin (*Spinus spinus*), Eurasian bullfinch (*Pyrrhula pyrrhula*), common linnet (*Linaria cannabina*), even common chaffinches (*Fringilla coelebs*) and common crossbills (*Loxia curvirostra percna*) [11].

Thousands of species are endangered around the world due to natural habitats destruction, overexploitation, invasive species, climate change and pollution. All activities are linked to human activities. Thus, the main reason for species erosion is

The issue of illegal trading is treated almost systematically as an environmental problem, before being considered as criminal and transnational. It is run by

*Geographical map of European goldfinch distribution around the world and phenological status. Green part:* 

*Breeding species, blue part: Occasional species, Brown part: Introduced species [10].*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.97236*

**2.2 Description of the goldfinch**

southern Central Asia and then joins Siberia via the Altai. An extension takes place in the western Himalayas. There are 12 subspecies that share this large area. Continental Europe is occupied by the subspecies "*carduelis*", which is known to be sedentary in most of its range. On the other hand, it has been successfully introduced in Australia, Bermuda, and the Azores [8, 9]. In the United States, its introduction dates to the early 1852s in Greenwood Cemetery (Brooklyn, New York) (**Figure 1**) [6].
