The European Greenfinch: A Songbird with Vibrant Colors
The European Greenfinch, scientifically known as Carduelis chloris, is a small passerine bird that belongs to the Fringillidae family and the Passeriformes order. This common garden bird is easily recognizable by its colorful plumage that combines shades of green and yellow. Let’s take a closer look at this delightful avian friend.
The Appearance and Behavior of the European Greenfinch
The European Greenfinch is a small to medium-sized bird, measuring approximately 16 cm in length and weighing between 25 g and 35 g. It has a robust and roundish body with two small, dark-colored eyes. The male European Greenfinch displays a vibrant combination of yellow and olive green on its back, with bright yellow feathers on its wings and rump. Its chest has some brown hues, while its belly is yellow. The sides of its neck and flanks are tinged with grey. The bird’s head features a yellow-green face, with a dark area between the eye and beak, and grey cheeks. Its short tail is adorned with yellow, grey, and black colors. The European Greenfinch has a strong, conical beak tinted in pink or beige and pink legs.
The female European Greenfinch, on the other hand, has a duller plumage with less pronounced colors. The yellow parts are less vibrant, and the upper parts appear more brownish. Juveniles have an even duller appearance with distinctly striped brown plumage.
In addition to its physical attributes, the European Greenfinch can be identified by its undulating, short, and circular flight. During the breeding season, its flight pattern resembles that of a butterfly. The bird has a characteristic song consisting of melodic and common chirping phrases, often heard during flight or in gardens during the breeding season, typically from February to March.
An Anthropophilic Bird
The European Greenfinch is not afraid of humans and readily lives in close proximity to them. It is frequently encountered in gardens and parks, both in urban and rural areas. The bird especially enjoys feeding from bird feeders and has a particular preference for maize and sunflower seeds, which it easily cracks open with its powerful beak. While anthropophilic, the European Greenfinch can display aggression towards other individuals that dare to approach its feeding spot. However, outside of this context, it tolerates the presence of its congeners and even forms sociable groups, often including other species such as finches, redpolls, and linnets.
Habitat and Distribution
The European Greenfinch has a broad distribution range, spanning from the Atlantic islands (excluding Iceland) to Western Siberia, and from Northern Scandinavia to the Maghreb. Within this vast range, nine subspecies of the European Greenfinch exist. While it is predominantly sedentary, populations from the northern parts of Europe, particularly the young birds, migrate southwards after the breeding season. The European Greenfinch has gradually colonized cities throughout the 20th century due to the scarcity of wild plant seeds. It now inhabits underbrush, hedges, forest edges, parks, and gardens, both in urban and rural settings. The bird thrives in open, wooded habitats, favoring deciduous trees and mixed forests.
A Granivorous Diet
The European Greenfinch primarily feeds on seeds, particularly those from woody plants. It is commonly seen in gardens, competing for seeds in freshly sown or ready-to-harvest vegetable gardens, depending on the season. However, it does not ravage crops or damage plantations. In fact, the European Greenfinch contributes to garden ecosystems by consuming insects and their larvae. By welcoming these birds and providing a well-stocked feeder during winter, they are more likely to focus on the feeder and overlook the planted seeds. The European Greenfinch also feeds on berries, buds, small fruits, and seeds from various plants. Its sturdy beak enables it to consume a significant amount of food each day, effortlessly cracking even the toughest seeds.
Reproduction and Nesting
The breeding season of the European Greenfinch begins in March and lasts until August. During this time, groups disperse, and each pair seeks out a small territory for nesting. However, the male’s territorial instinct is not very pronounced, resulting in close nesting proximity among pairs in parks and gardens with dense foliage. The bird nests in various locations, primarily within trees or densely vegetated areas.
The female European Greenfinch is responsible for constructing the nest. She chooses a sturdy fork in shrubs or a hidden space in vegetation-covered walls. The nest, in the shape of a voluminous and well-constructed cup, consists of dry grass, stems, moss, and lichens. The interior is lined with roots, feathers, hair, and even pieces of string and paper. The female ensures that the nest remains perfectly concealed within the vegetation.
Once the nest is ready, the female European Greenfinch lays 4 to 6 pale blue eggs with fine speckles. She incubates the eggs alone for about 13 days, while the male provides food. The number of broods per year is typically two to three per pair.
The nestlings of the European Greenfinch are altricial, relying on their parents for food until they leave the nest after about 18 days. The parents remain vigilant as their eggs and chicks are vulnerable to predation by magpies, jays, and crows.
The European Greenfinch as a Gardener’s Ally
The European Greenfinch is sometimes considered a nuisance in gardens due to its affinity for landing in groups and feeding on recently sown or ready-to-harvested seeds, depending on the season. However, it does not cause significant damage to crops or plantations. In fact, it provides ecological benefits by consuming insects and their larvae. Like many other bird species, the European Greenfinch can be welcomed into gardens, where they can help control pests in exchange for a few seeds. By offering a well-stocked bird feeder during winter, the European Greenfinch will be more likely to focus on the feeder and overlook the planted seeds. In Europe, the European Greenfinch is considered a common species, although its populations have been declining due to the extensive use of pesticides in intensive agriculture.
