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Serin

Serinus serinus

A cheerful yellow songbird with a canary-like voice, this tiny finch brightens gardens and woodlands across Europe and North Africa.
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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Serin is a small, compact finch with a short, stubby bill. Males display bright yellow-green plumage on the face, throat, and breast, contrasting with brown-streaked upperparts. Their wings feature distinctive yellow wing bars.

Females are duller, with more subdued yellows and heavier streaking. Both sexes have forked tails and brownish-pink legs. Juveniles resemble females but have even less yellow colouration. During winter, both sexes' plumage becomes slightly duller.

Size

Length

11cm to 12cm

Wingspan

20cm to 23cm

Weight

10g to 15g

Colours

Primary Colour

Yellow

Secondary Colour

Brown Grey Green

Beak Colour

Grey

Leg Colour

Brown

Primary Colour (Female)

Brown

Secondary Colour (Female)

Yellow Grey Green

Beak Colour (Female)

Grey

Leg Colour (Female)

Brown

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Serin can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Serin can be found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Serin is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Serin is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Serin can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Serin can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Serin is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Serin is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Serin is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Serin is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Serin is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Serin is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Serins inhabit a wide range of open habitats across Europe, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East. They prefer areas with scattered trees, such as open woodlands, orchards, parks, and gardens.

In winter, many northern populations move southward, while those in southern Europe and North Africa tend to be resident. In the UK, Serins are rare visitors, mainly observed along the south and east coasts during migration periods.

Reports of UK breeding pairs are sporadic, with only one or two pairs noted each year. These sightings are limited to eastern and southern England, Devon, Dorset, Sussex and East Anglia, and occasionally on the Channel Islands.

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 Serin. 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

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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 85

Agility

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

The Serin demonstrates remarkable agility, being described as active and acrobatic. Their ability to flit between branches, hang upside down on seed heads, and perform elaborate flight displays during courtship indicates a high level of manoeuvrability and dexterity.

Strength 20

Strength

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

As one of the smallest finches in Europe, weighing only 10-15 grams, the Serin's strength is quite limited. Their primary activities involve foraging for small seeds and constructing small nests, which don't require significant strength.

Adaptability 75

Adaptability

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

Serins show good adaptability, inhabiting a wide range of open habitats across Europe, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East. Their ability to thrive in various environments, including urban areas, and their partial migratory behaviour demonstrate considerable adaptability.

Aggressiveness 30

Aggressiveness

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

Serins are not notably aggressive birds. They often gather in small flocks and their breeding behaviour doesn't indicate high levels of aggression. However, like most birds, they likely defend their territories during breeding season, hence a low-moderate score.

Endurance 60

Endurance

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

While small, Serins display decent endurance. Their ability to undertake partial migrations, perform extended flight displays during courtship, and raise multiple broods in a season suggests moderate endurance. However, their small size limits their overall stamina compared to larger birds.

Diet

Serins primarily feed on small seeds from various plants, including grasses, dandelions, and thistles.

They supplement their diet with buds, young leaves, and occasionally small insects, including spiders, larvae and grasshoppers, especially during the breeding season when feeding their young.

Behaviour

Serins are active and agile birds, often seen flitting between branches or hopping on the ground. They frequently gather in small flocks, especially outside the breeding season.

When feeding, Serins can be observed hanging upside down on seed heads, showcasing their acrobatic skills.

Vocalisation

Unlike the tuneful melody of their close cousin, the canary, the Serin's song is a rapid, high-pitched trill, often described as sounding like a tiny bell or a bunch of jangling keys. It's typically delivered from a prominent perch or during flight. Their call is a soft, plaintive 'tsi-tsi' or 'tsilip'.

The delicate rapid notes, sung almost exclusively by the male, can be heard all year round, although less frequently in autumn and winter.

Nesting & Breeding

Breeding season for Serins typically begins in April and can last until August. Males perform elaborate flight displays to attract females, singing while flying in wide circles.

Nests are small, neat cups made of fine twigs, grass, and moss, lined with feathers and plant down. They are usually placed in the outer branches of trees or shrubs. Females lay 3-4 pale blue eggs with dark spots.

Incubation lasts about 13 days, carried out by the female. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after 15-18 days. Pairs often raise two or three broods per season.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

While the Serin is currently listed as Least Concern, some local populations have experienced declines due to habitat loss and agricultural intensification.

Conservation efforts focus on maintaining diverse habitats and promoting wildlife-friendly farming practices in their range.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

46,500,000 - 70,000,000 mature individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for Serins in open woodlands, parks, and gardens with scattered trees
  • Listen for their high-pitched, rapid-trilling song, often delivered from treetops
  • Observe feeders in urban areas, where they may visit for seeds
  • In the UK, focus on southern coastal areas during spring and autumn migrations

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

European Serin

Family:

Fringillidae

Average Lifespan

2 to 3 years

Max Lifespan

13.3 years [4]

Predators

Serins are preyed upon by various small raptors such as Sparrowhawks and Merlins, as well as domestic cats in urban areas.

Did You Know?

  1. Serins are one of the smallest finches in Europe.
  2. Their scientific name, Serinus serinus, is an example of a tautonym, where the genus and species names are identical.
  3. In some regions, Serins have adapted well to urban environments and can be common in city parks and gardens.

FAQs

How to pronounce Serin

The species name comes from ‘serin’, the French word for a canary. It’s pronounced ‘seh-rin’.

References

  1. 1 2

    website: BirdLife International. 2018. Serinus serinus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22720049A132136209.

    View source
  2. 3

    report, 2015: EBCC

  3. 4

    website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds

    View source

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