Greenfinch
The European Greenfinch, or simply the Greenfinch, is a small passerine bird in the finch. There are 10 recognised sub-species reflecting its widespread range, including the British Greenfinch found in the UK (except north Scotland) and Ireland and the Northern European Greenfinch found in north Scotland, north and central France and Scandinavia to west Siberia.
The Greenfinch is similar in size and shape to a House Sparrow but it is mainly green with yellow in the wings and tail. The female and young birds are duller and have brown tones on the back. The bill is thick and conical. The song contains a lot of trilling twitters interspersed with wheezes and the male has a "butterfly" display flight.
The Greenfinch is widespread throughout Europe, north Africa and south west Asia where it is mainly resident although some of the most northern populations migrate further south in autumn and winter. It has also been introduced into Australia, New Zealand, Uruguay and Argentina. The Greenfinch can be found around woodland edges, in farmland hedges and in gardens with relatively thick vegetation favoured for breeding. It can form large flocks outside the breeding season, sometimes mixing with other groups of finches and buntings.
In the UK, the Greenfinch is widespread and relatively common (although a sharp decline in the population in recent years has been noted due to an outbreak of trichomonosis, a parasite-induced disease which prevents the birds from feeding properly) and it is only absent from upland areas without trees and bushes.
The breeding season occurs in spring and early summer, commencing in the second half of March with the young fledging in early July. Incubation of the eggs is undertaken by the female and lasts about 13 to 14 days with the male feeding her at the nest during this period. The chicks are fed on insect larvae by both adults during the first few days and thereafter by a frequently regurgitated yellowish paste made of seeds. The chicks leave the nest about 13 days later but they are unable to fly. The Greenfinch usually produces 2 or 3 broods per year.
The Greenfinch predominantly feeds on seeds but it will also take berries and nuts.
Date: 27th April 2021
Location: Laindon, Essex
The Greenfinch is similar in size and shape to a House Sparrow but it is mainly green with yellow in the wings and tail. The female and young birds are duller and have brown tones on the back. The bill is thick and conical. The song contains a lot of trilling twitters interspersed with wheezes and the male has a "butterfly" display flight.
The Greenfinch is widespread throughout Europe, north Africa and south west Asia where it is mainly resident although some of the most northern populations migrate further south in autumn and winter. It has also been introduced into Australia, New Zealand, Uruguay and Argentina. The Greenfinch can be found around woodland edges, in farmland hedges and in gardens with relatively thick vegetation favoured for breeding. It can form large flocks outside the breeding season, sometimes mixing with other groups of finches and buntings.
In the UK, the Greenfinch is widespread and relatively common (although a sharp decline in the population in recent years has been noted due to an outbreak of trichomonosis, a parasite-induced disease which prevents the birds from feeding properly) and it is only absent from upland areas without trees and bushes.
The breeding season occurs in spring and early summer, commencing in the second half of March with the young fledging in early July. Incubation of the eggs is undertaken by the female and lasts about 13 to 14 days with the male feeding her at the nest during this period. The chicks are fed on insect larvae by both adults during the first few days and thereafter by a frequently regurgitated yellowish paste made of seeds. The chicks leave the nest about 13 days later but they are unable to fly. The Greenfinch usually produces 2 or 3 broods per year.
The Greenfinch predominantly feeds on seeds but it will also take berries and nuts.
Date: 27th April 2021
Location: Laindon, Essex
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Also in: Finches
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