Citril Finch

Carduelis citrinella

An agile songbird of Europe's mountain meadows, this bright yellow-green finch flits between Alpine pine forests and grassy slopes at heights of up to 2,500 meters.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Citril Finch is a small, vibrant finch with a distinctive greenish-yellow plumage. Its body is primarily olive-green, brightened by a yellow rump and breast. The wings and tail feature dark feathers edged with yellow, creating a striking pattern.

Males are more brightly coloured than females, with a more intense yellow on the face and underparts. Juveniles resemble females but have streaked underparts. The bird's appearance remains consistent year-round, with no significant seasonal changes.

Size

Length

12cm to 13cm

Wingspan

22cm to 26cm

Weight

11g to 14g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Green Yellow

Secondary Colour

Grey White

Beak Colour

Grey

Leg Colour

Pink

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Citril Finch can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Citril Finch is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Citril Finch is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Citril Finch is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Citril Finch is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Citril Finch is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Citril Finch is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Citril Finch is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Citril Finch is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Citril Finch is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Citril Finch can be found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Citril Finch is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Citril Finches inhabit high-altitude areas of central and southern Europe, primarily in the Alps, Pyrenees, and other mountainous regions. They prefer coniferous forests, particularly those with spruce and pine, as well as alpine meadows and scrublands.

During winter, some populations move to lower elevations or more southerly areas. Their distribution is closely tied to the availability of suitable mountain habitats.

Elevation Range

800 to 2,500 meters

Climate zones

Alpine, Temperate

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Citril Finch. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons