pension333: Mystery bird: European goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis

Despite being widespread throughout much of Europe, this English mystery bird did not originate in the Old World

European goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis, photographed at Headingley, a suburb of Leeds in West Yorkshire, England (British Isles).

Image: Lara Nouri, 10 March 2012 (with permission, for GrrlScientist/Guardian use only) [velociraptorise].
Nikon D90, 1/1250 sec, f/5.3, 240 mm, iso:400

Question: Despite being widespread throughout much of Europe, this English mystery bird did not originate in the Old World. Where did it originate? How did it get to England? Can you identify this mystery bird's taxonomic family and species?

Response: This is an adult European goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis, a member of the finch family, Fringillidae, which are widespread throughout the northern hemisphere.

Looking at this question now, I am completely mystified as to what I was trying to get at by asking it. So I'll give smug points to whomever can suss out the meaning of this question, or who can think of the best slapstick comedy routine to regale us all with whilst I headdesk my evening away.

[video link]

The Mystery Birds reference library:

Africa

South and Central America

Oceania and the South Pacific Ocean

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You are invited to review all of the daily mystery birds by going to their dedicated graphic index page.

If you have bird images, video or audio files that you'd like to share with a large and (mostly) appreciative international audience here at the Guardian, feel free to contact me to learn more.

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Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/grrlscientist/2012/aug/10/12

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