Greenfinch

Chloris chloris

Least Concern
A vibrant songbird with a distinctive yellow-green plumage, often spotted at garden feeders across Europe and beyond.
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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Greenfinch is a robust, small finch with distinctive olive-green plumage. Males display brighter yellow-green hues on their breast and rump, with striking yellow patches on their wings and tail. The stout cone-shaped, pale pink beak is a key identifying feature.

Females are duller and have little to no green plumage, with more brown tones and less yellow. Both sexes have pinkish legs and small dark eyes.

Juveniles resemble females but have streaked underparts. Winter plumage in both sexes is slightly duller than breeding plumage.

Size

Length

14cm to 16cm

Wingspan

24cm to 28cm

Weight

25g to 35g

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Green Yellow

Secondary Colour

Grey Brown Olive

Beak Colour

Pink

Leg Colour

Pink

Primary Colour (Female)

Green Brown

Secondary Colour (Female)

Grey Olive

Beak Colour (Female)

Pink

Leg Colour (Female)

Pink

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Greenfinch can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Greenfinch can be found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Greenfinch is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Greenfinch is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Greenfinch is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Greenfinch can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Greenfinch is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Greenfinch is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Greenfinch is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Greenfinch is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Greenfinch is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Greenfinch is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Greenfinches inhabit a wide range of habitats, including woodlands, gardens, parks, and farmland across Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. They prefer areas with a mix of trees and open spaces for foraging.

In the UK, they are widespread residents, while in northern parts of their range, some populations migrate south for winter. They have also been introduced to Australia and New Zealand, where they have established successful populations.

Elevation Range

Up to 2,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Mediterranean

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Greenfinch. 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
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident
Breeding
Non-breeding
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year
Algeria Andorra Argentina Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Egypt Estonia Finland France Germany Gibraltar Greece Hungary Iran Ireland Italy Jordan Kyrgyzstan Latvia Lebanon Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Malta Moldova Morocco Netherlands Palestine Portugal Romania Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Syria The United Kingdom Tunisia Turkey Ukraine
Species that are present in the area during their breeding season
Albania Armenia Australia Bosnia and Herzegovina Georgia Israel Kazakhstan Montenegro New Zealand Norway Poland Russia Serbia Tajikistan Turkmenistan Uruguay Uzbekistan
Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season
Afghanistan Iraq Saudi Arabia
Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range
Faroe Islands Iceland

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:
  • Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
  • Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
  • Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
  • Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
  • Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

  • 0-20: Very Low
  • 21-40: Low
  • 41-60: Average
  • 61-80: High
  • 81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 75

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Greenfinch displays considerable agility, particularly in its acrobatic feeding habits. Their ability to hang upside down on feeders and perform elaborate flight displays during courtship demonstrates a high level of manoeuvrability and aerial skill.

Strength 60

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst not exceptionally strong for their size, Greenfinches possess robust beaks capable of cracking open tough seeds that smaller finches cannot manage. This indicates a respectable level of strength, particularly in their jaw muscles.

Adaptability 70

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Greenfinches show good adaptability, thriving in various habitats from woodlands to urban gardens. Their ability to adjust their diet based on availability and to successfully colonise new areas (as seen in New Zealand) suggests a strong capacity for adaptation.

Aggressiveness 40

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Greenfinches are generally social birds, often seen in flocks outside the breeding season. However, they may display some territorial behaviour during breeding. Their aggression level is moderate, primarily limited to competitive interactions at feeding sites or during mating season.

Endurance 55

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

As partial migrants capable of long-distance flights and with the ability to raise multiple broods in a season, Greenfinches demonstrate decent endurance. However, their relatively short lifespan (2-3 years on average) and vulnerability to diseases like trichomonosis suggest limitations in their overall endurance.

Diet

Greenfinches primarily feed on seeds, with a particular fondness for sunflower seeds and other large seeds. They also consume buds, berries, and insects, especially when feeding their young. Their strong beaks allow them to crack open tough seeds that smaller finches cannot manage.

These birds forage everywhere, from the ground to upper tree branches, for seeds, flowers, buds, and fruits of many plant species, including bramble, yew, and rosehip.

Behaviour

Greenfinches are social birds, often seen in small flocks outside the breeding season. They have a distinctive undulating flight pattern and are known for their acrobatic feeding habits, often hanging upside down on feeders. During courtship, males perform elaborate flight displays, soaring and gliding to attract females.

Vocalisation

The Greenfinch's song is a mix of trills and twitters, often ending with a distinctive wheezing 'dzweee' sound. Their call is a sharp 'tswee' or 'tswit'. During flight, they make a characteristic 'chichichichichi' sound.

Males sing more frequently during the breeding season, often from prominent perches or during display flight. Listen out for this pleasant but disjointed song from January to the end of summer and particularly from March to July.

Nesting & Breeding

Breeding season for Greenfinches typically begins in April. Males attract females with their song and flight displays, often chasing potential mates in flight. Pairs form monogamous bonds for the breeding season.

Nests are built by the female in shrubs or trees, usually 2-3 meters above ground. The nest is a neat cup made of twigs, moss, and grass, lined with fine roots and hair. The female lays 4-6 pale blue eggs with reddish-brown spots.

Incubation lasts about 13-14 days, and it is mainly performed by the female. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after 13-16 days. Greenfinches often raise two broods per season.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

While listed as Least Concern globally, Greenfinch populations in some areas, particularly the UK, have faced significant declines due to trichomonosis, a parasitic disease. Conservation efforts focus on garden hygiene, especially cleaning bird feeders regularly to prevent disease spread.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

48,000,000 - 74,000,000 mature individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for Greenfinches in gardens, parks, and woodland edges
  • Listen for their distinctive wheezing call, often given from treetops
  • Observe feeders, especially those with sunflower seeds
  • Watch for their characteristic undulating flight pattern
  • In the UK, participate in the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch to contribute to Greenfinch monitoring

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

European Greenfinch

Family:

Fringillidae

Average Lifespan

2 to 3 years

Predators

Main predators include domestic cats, sparrowhawks, and other birds of prey. Nests may be raided by magpies, jays, and squirrels.

Did You Know?

  1. Greenfinches can open their beaks with enough force to crack open tough seeds.
  2. They are one of the few finches that feed their young with regurgitated seeds rather than insects.
  3. In some areas, Greenfinches have learned to mimic the sounds of other birds, including alarm calls.

FAQs

How do I attract Greenfinches to my garden?

Greenfinches are regular visitors to garden bird feeders, where they relish sunflower seeds and peanuts. You can also attract these boisterous back-garden birds by setting up a birdbath or other shallow water features for drinking and bathing.

References

  1. 1 2

    website: BirdLife International. 2018. Chloris chloris. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22720330A132000123.

    View source
  2. 3

    report, 2015: EBCC

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