European Greenfinch.
Photo: K Vang and W Dabrowka © Bird Explorers
European Greenfinch.
Photo: K Vang and W Dabrowka © Bird Explorers
Distribution map of Carduelis chloris
Map © Birds Australia Birdata
European Greenfinch
Scientific name: Carduelis chloris
Family: Fringillidae
Order: Passeriformes
- Featured Bird Groups
- Introduced birds
What does it look like?
Description
The introduced European Greenfinch is a stout, yellow-green to olive-green finch with large yellow wing and tail patches. The bill is pale brown above, whitish below and the eye is brown. Females are duller and browner than males with less yellow on the wings and tail. Greenfinches may sometimes be seen in mixed flocks with House Sparrows and Goldfinches.
Similar species
The European Greenfinch is one of only two 'true finches' in Australia, the other being the European Goldfinch, which is quite distinctive.
Where does it live?
Distribution
European Greenfinches were introduced to Australia in the nineteenth century and became common in Tasmania from the early 1940s onward. They are found in coastal south-eastern Australia from Adelaide, South Australia, to Lismore, New South Wales and in Tasmania (absent in undisturbed south-west). They are also found on Norfolk Island and throughout New Zealand.
Habitat
The European Greenfinch is found in grasslands, wastelands, coastal scrub and heathlands and in plantations. It prefers farms, roadsides, parks and gardens, especially when breeding, and is common but inconspicuous in urban areas.
Seasonal movements
Sedentary. Travel in small groups looking for seeds and form large roosting flocks at night in winter.
What does it do?
Feeding
The European Greenfinch has a large bill designed to split the seeds from conifer cones and grasses which form the main part of its diet. It will also eat insects, small fruits (mainly for their seeds) and berries. Comes readily to garden feeders. Mainly arboreal (found in trees), it will frequently be seen on or near the ground. Usually feeds in small flocks, sometimes with other birds such as the European Goldfinch and the House Sparrow.
Breeding
The European Greenfinch builds a bulky cup nest of twigs, grass and roots, lin with plant and animal fibres, usually hidden in the thick foliage of exotic garden plants or conifers. Both adults build the nest and care for the young, but the female incubates the eggs alone, with the male feeding her. Two broods may be raised in a single season. Nests of several Greenfinches may be found close together in a loose colonial arrangement, with each nesting pair defending only the immediate area around the nest.
Living with us
Living with humans
Being an introduced species, the European Greenfinch benefits from exotic garden plantings and plantation pines and feed mostly on grass and weed seeds in urban and farm areas. Can sometimes damage fruit and flowers in orchards.
Urban habitat requirements
Dense exotic shrubbery for nesting.
References
Strahan, R. (ed) 1996. Finches, Bowerbirds and Other Passerines of Australia. Angus and Robertson and the National Photographic Index of Australian Wildlife, Sydney.
Simpson, K and Day, N. 1999. Field guide to the birds of Australia, 6th Edition. Penguin Books, Australia.
Frith, C.B. 1985. Garden Birds: attracting birds to Australian and New Zealand Gardens. Quarto Publishing, Doubleday Australasia, Sydney.