Scientific name: Carduelis chloris
Family: Finches and Buntings
Wingspan: 25 - 28cm (10 - 11")
Diet: Mainly seeds and insects
Feed with: Black sunflower seeds, peanuts, niger seed, and other seed mixes
Habitat: Greenfinches are close to human habitats and can often be found on farmland, in parks and around town/village centres. They are also particularly fond of woods and hedges.
Lifespan: 2 Years
Greenfinch characteristics
THE GREENFINCH IS one of the larger, more robust and stockier finches in the UK. It is covered almost completely with an olive-green hue, the only exception being the yellow flashes on the outer wing feathers. It features a characteristic forked tail, specific to the greenfinch, and are easy to spot in abundance throughout the UK. The greenfinch is known for its sociability, although often you ma find group of greenfinches squabbling at the feeding table.
Greenfinch Breeding & Nesting
With the sociable nature of greenfinches, you'll find they nest in colonies that are buried within shrubs. MATERIALS FOR THE NEST are comprised mainly of twigs and grass with an interior lining combination of hair and roots.
GREENFINCH BREEDING begins in April with the incubation period lasting between 12 - 14 days. The eggs are very smooth with black markings all over, but mainly a pale-beige colour. Both parents help to feed the young once they have hatched.
Greenfinch Feeding
THE GREENFINCH DIET consist mainly of berries, seeds and buds, although increasingly greenfinches are willing to feed from hanging feeders and take peanuts. In the garden, greenfinches will consume black sunflower seeds and peanuts and will often take their time so it's possible to get a good view of them feeding.