Greenfinch

Greenfinch
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
Chloris chloris Linnaeus, 1758

The greenfinch (Chloris chloris), also known as the European greenfinch, is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae.

Distribution

This bird is widespread throughout Europe, north Africa and southwest Asia. It is mainly residential, but some Northernmost populations migrate further South. The Greenfinch has also recently been introduced into both Australia and New Zealand, primarily through Acclimatization Society.

Habitat and Breeding

Woodland edges, farmland hedges and gardens with relatively thick vegetation are favored for breeding and long-term nesting. It nests in trees or bushes, laying 3 – 8 eggs per mating season. This species can form large flocks outside the normal breeding period, sometimes mixing with other finches and buntings.

The males often perform flashy dances and sing to attract others, forming loose colonies amongst the other arboreal songbirds in the spring and early fall.

Diet

They feed largely on seeds, but also take berries.

Images

• 
  Two Greenfinches. The bird on top is a male and the bird below is a female.
• 
  Greenfinch
• 
  Cuculus canorus bangsi + Carduelis chloris
• 
  Chloris chloris aurantiiventris