European greenfinch

Overview

Wikipedia

The European greenfinch or simply the greenfinch is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae.

Distribution

Region

Europe and Western Palearctic

Typical Environment

Widespread across Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, occupying woodland edges, hedgerows, farmland, parks, and suburban gardens. It favors mosaic habitats with shrubs and small trees for nesting and open areas for foraging. The species is scarce in dense closed-canopy forests and treeless high moorlands. It has established introduced populations in New Zealand and southeastern Australia, where it uses similar anthropogenic habitats.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 1800 m

Climate Zone

Temperate

Characteristics

Size14–16 cm

Wing Span24–28 cm

Male Weight0.028 kg

Female Weight0.026 kg

Life Expectancy5 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 2/5

Useful to know

The European greenfinch is a robust finch often seen in gardens and parks, readily visiting bird feeders for sunflower and other oily seeds. Males are notably greener with bright yellow flashes on the wings and tail, while females are duller and more brownish-olive. Populations in parts of Europe, especially the UK and Ireland, declined after outbreaks of trichomonosis from the mid-2000s. It has been successfully introduced to New Zealand and parts of Australia.

Gallery

Comparison between a male (top) and a female (bottom) greenfinch

Cuculus canorus bangsi in a clutch of Carduelis chloris - MHNT

Chloris chloris aurantiiventris - MHNT

Nest with eggs in Nottinghamshire, England

Behaviour

Temperament

social and active

Flight Pattern

undulating flight with short rapid wingbeats and swooping glides

Social Behavior

Outside the breeding season it often forms flocks, sometimes mixed with other finches. Pairs are monogamous in a season and nest in dense shrubs or evergreens, building a neat cup nest. Clutches typically contain 3–6 eggs, and both parents feed the young, with increased insect provisioning during nestling stages.

Migratory Pattern

Partial migrant

Song Description

The song is a lively series of trills, twitters, and wheezy notes delivered from a perch or in a brief display flight. Calls include a distinctive nasal, buzzing 'dzwee' and soft twitters exchanged within flocks.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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