The Himalayas, is a mountain range which separates the Great Indian Plains from the Tibetan Plateau. This range is home to nine of the ten highest peaks on the Earth, including the highest, Mount Everest. The abrupt rise of the Himalayan Mountains from less than 500 meters to more than 8,000 meters in a few hundred kilometers has resulted in a huge diversity of flora and fauna. Nearly 1000 birds have been recorded in the Himalayas of which 15 species are fully endemic.
The European goldfinch or goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis), is a small passerine bird in the finch family. The goldfinch is native to Europe, North Africa, and western and central Asia. It is found in open, partially wooded lowlands. The goldfinch's preferred food is small seeds such as those from thistles, but insects are also taken when feeding young.
IUCN Status: Least Concern (LC) Photo: Dibyendu Ash