European greenfinch

European Greenfinch
Male above, female below
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Fringillidae
Genus:	Carduelis
Species:	C. chloris
Binomial name
Carduelis chloris (Linnaeus, 1758)
Synonyms
Chloris chloris (but see article text)

The European Greenfinch, or just Greenfinch, Carduelis chloris, is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae. The genus Carduelis might be split up and in this case, the greenfinches would be separated in their old genus Chloris again.

This bird is widespread throughout Europe, north Africa and south west Asia. It is mainly resident, but some northernmost populations migrate further south. The Greenfinch has also been introduced into both Australia and New Zealand.

Woodland edges, farmland hedges and gardens with relatively thick vegetation are favoured for breeding. It nests in trees or bushes, laying 3-8 eggs.

This species can form large flocks outside the breeding season, sometimes mixing with other finches and buntings. They feed largely on seeds, but also take berries and seeds.

The Greenfinch is 15 cm in length with a wing span of 24.5-27.5 cm and is similar in size and shape to a House Sparrow, but 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 wheezes and twitters, and the male has a "butterfly" display flight.

Etymology

Chloris from the Greek Khloros meaning "green" or "yellowish-green".

Gallery

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Origin of greenfinches

See Desert finch.

External links

• European Greenfinch videos, photos & sounds on the Internet Bird Collection
• A Field Guide to Birds of Armenia: European Greenfinch
• Ageing and sexing (PDF) by Javier Blasco-Zumeta