What name belong this little fella?

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Dmenace
Dmenace's picture
What name belong this little fella?

Hi Fellow Birders,

It's been a while since I've posted on BiBY.  I haven't had too many opportunities to bring my camera out since I moved house.   But today I caught this little character in the afternoon sun, on my back fence here in Melbourne's northern suburbs.

The short, broad bill indicates it's some kind finch.  However, my research has been confusing.  Australian Finches lists a Greenfinch, Cardelius Chloris, and says nothing about whether they were introduced or native.  Other sources list a European Greenfinch Carduelis Chloris which was introduced to Australia.

The slight difference in spelling of the scientific names, and slight differences in appearance has confused me.  My shots match those in Australian Finches perfectly, but in the shots I've seen the European Greenfinch doesn't have the white cheek patches and its bill is much darker.  Are these the same species or not?

I'd certainly appreciate any insights you may have to offer.  I might add that it wasn't as shy as most Australian native birds.  It seemed just as interested in me as I was in it, and was quite happy to sit there watching while I rattled off a numbers of frames.

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

Looks like a domestic escapee, probably a canary, which come in many and varied colours. As always happy to be wrong. Nice photos by the way.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

Dmenace
Dmenace's picture

Thanks Dale,

I suspected it may be an escapee.  But your suggestionof Canary is interesting because one of the sources I was said the European Greenfinch is sometimes called the Wild Canary.

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

Hi Dmenace the Michael Morcombe app also refers to a "Common Greenfinch" chloris chloris, which might just be another version of those you mention. It also does not have the grey cheek patches.  It also looks pretty close to the bird in your photos. Seems different sources use different names, or maybe they are separate species.

I think the spelling difference you mention may just be a typo, but can't be sure. Think I am going to stick with canary, but lack confidence in my ID.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

Dmenace
Dmenace's picture

I think the spelling is very likely a typo.  This is the shot from Australia Finches, he a dead ringer for my little friend.

HelloBirdy
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Yes, looks right for European Greenfinch - introduced. Pretty sure the species mentioned are the one and the same

Ryu
Canberra
Aiming for DSLR-quality shots with a bridge camera

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

Yep I agree, can be confusing sometimes.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

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