What aspect characterizes the European Goldfinch's overall foraging adaptability across different environments?
Answer
Flexibility around a core preference for small, oil-rich seeds
The success of the European Goldfinch in maintaining and increasing populations across various regions is attributed to a combination of specialization and flexibility. They are not strictly obligate feeders on a single plant species. Instead, their dietary success is characterized by a high degree of adaptability that surrounds a central requirement: a preference for small, oil-rich seeds. They can seamlessly shift between utilizing wild stands of plants like teasel and consuming cultivated garden offerings, provided the core characteristics of the food—small size and high energy content—are present.
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