Species Profile

Greenfinch

Chloris chloris

Greenfinch

Quick Facts

Conservation

LCLeast Concern

Lifespan

2–3 years

Length

14–16 cm

Weight

25–35 g

Wingspan

24–28 cm

Migration

Partial migrant

A vibrant songbird with a distinctive yellow-green plumage, often spotted at garden feeders across Europe and beyond.

Also known as: European Greenfinch

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Appearance

The Greenfinch is a robust, small finch with distinctive olive-green plumage. Males display brighter yellow-green hues on their breast and rump, with striking yellow patches on their wings and tail. The stout cone-shaped, pale pink beak is a key identifying feature.

Females are duller and have little to no green plumage, with more brown tones and less yellow. Both sexes have pinkish legs and small dark eyes.

Juveniles resemble females but have streaked underparts. Winter plumage in both sexes is slightly duller than breeding plumage.

Identification & Characteristics

Male Colors

Primary: Green
Secondary: Grey
Beak: Pink
Legs: Pink

Female Colors

Primary: Green
Secondary: Grey
Beak: Pink
Legs: Pink

Female Markings

Duller plumage compared to males, with less yellow

Attributes

Agility75/100

Strength60/100

Adaptability70/100

Aggression40/100

Endurance55/100

Understanding Attributes

Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Habitat & Distribution

Greenfinches inhabit a wide range of habitats, including woodlands, gardens, parks, and farmland across Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. They prefer areas with a mix of trees and open spaces for foraging.

In the UK, they are widespread residents, while in northern parts of their range, some populations migrate south for winter. They have also been introduced to Australia and New Zealand, where they have established successful populations.

Distribution

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Where to See This Bird

Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.

United Kingdom

Wales

England

Northern Ireland

Scotland

Cambridgeshire

Rutland

Bedfordshire

Buckinghamshire

Berkshire

Bristol

Cheshire

Cornwall

Cumbria

Derbyshire

Gloucestershire

Devon

Dorset

Durham

East Riding of Yorkshire

Essex

East Sussex

Hampshire

Herefordshire

Hertfordshire

Lincolnshire

Isle of Wight

Kent

Merseyside

Lancashire

Leicestershire

London

Manchester

Northumberland

Norfolk

Northamptonshire

Nottinghamshire

North Yorkshire

Oxfordshire

South Yorkshire

Tyne and Wear

West Midlands

Suffolk

Shropshire

Somerset

Surrey

Staffordshire

Stockton-on-Tees

Warwickshire

Wiltshire

West Yorkshire

Worcestershire

West Sussex

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Diet

Greenfinches primarily feed on seeds, with a particular fondness for sunflower seeds and other large seeds. They also consume buds, berries, and insects, especially when feeding their young. Their strong beaks allow them to crack open tough seeds that smaller finches cannot manage.

These birds forage everywhere, from the ground to upper tree branches, for seeds, flowers, buds, and fruits of many plant species, including bramble, yew, and rosehip.

Behaviour

Greenfinches are social birds, often seen in small flocks outside the breeding season. They have a distinctive undulating flight pattern and are known for their acrobatic feeding habits, often hanging upside down on feeders. During courtship, males perform elaborate flight displays, soaring and gliding to attract females.

Calls & Sounds

The Greenfinch's song is a mix of trills and twitters, often ending with a distinctive wheezing 'dzweee' sound. Their call is a sharp 'tswee' or 'tswit'. During flight, they make a characteristic 'chichichichichi' sound.

Males sing more frequently during the breeding season, often from prominent perches or during display flight. Listen out for this pleasant but disjointed song from January to the end of summer and particularly from March to July.

Nesting & Breeding

Breeding season for Greenfinches typically begins in April. Males attract females with their song and flight displays, often chasing potential mates in flight. Pairs form monogamous bonds for the breeding season.

Nests are built by the female in shrubs or trees, usually 2-3 meters above ground. The nest is a neat cup made of twigs, moss, and grass, lined with fine roots and hair. The female lays 4-6 pale blue eggs with reddish-brown spots.

Incubation lasts about 13-14 days, and it is mainly performed by the female. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after 13-16 days. Greenfinches often raise two broods per season.

Conservation

While listed as Least Concern globally, Greenfinch populations in some areas, particularly the UK, have faced significant declines due to trichomonosis, a parasitic disease. Conservation efforts focus on garden hygiene, especially cleaning bird feeders regularly to prevent disease spread.

LCLeast Concern

^[1]

Population

Estimated: 48,000,000 - 74,000,000 mature individuals^[3]

Trend: Stable^[2]

Elevation

Up to 2,000 meters

Additional Details

Predators:: Main predators include domestic cats, sparrowhawks, and other birds of prey. Nests may be raided by magpies, jays, and squirrels.

Birdwatching Tips

Look for Greenfinches in gardens, parks, and woodland edges
Listen for their distinctive wheezing call, often given from treetops
Observe feeders, especially those with sunflower seeds
Watch for their characteristic undulating flight pattern
In the UK, participate in the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch to contribute to Greenfinch monitoring

Did You Know?

Greenfinches can open their beaks with enough force to crack open tough seeds.
They are one of the few finches that feed their young with regurgitated seeds rather than insects.
In some areas, Greenfinches have learned to mimic the sounds of other birds, including alarm calls.