European Greenfinches or Greenfinches
Finch Information ... Finch Species ... Finch Photo Gallery ... Finch Cages / Flights ... Finch Diseases ... Finch / Canary Food ... Finch Books
Backyard Habitat: Attracting Wildlife to Your Garden ... Bird Feeding Stations ... Nesting Habits of Wild Birds and Build-Your-Own Nesting Boxes ... Wild Bird Houses / Nests (Fancy & Practical) .... Water Fountains ... Bird Baths ...... Books, Videos, CDs & DVDs
The European Greenfinch, or just Greenfinch, Carduelis chloris, is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae.
Distribution / Habitat:
This bird is widespread throughout Europe, north Africa and south west Asia. It is mainly resident, but some northernmost populations migrate further south.
Woodland edges, farmland hedges and gardens with relatively thick vegetation are favoured for breeding. It nests in trees or bushes, laying 3-8 eggs.
This species can form large flocks outside the breeding season, sometimes mixing with other finches and buntings.
Diet / Feeding:
They feed largely on seeds, but also feed their young insects.
Description:
The Greenfinch is 14-16 cm in length and is similar in size and shape to a Chaffinch, but is mainly green, with yellow in the wings and tail.
The female and young birds are duller and have brown tones on the back. The bill is thick and conical.
Song / Call :
The song contains wheezes and twitters, and the male has a "butterfly" display flight. Sources: Wikipedia.org
The Greenfinch in Aviculture:
The below information is courtesy of Mandy & Paul - Breeder of Canaries & Other Exotic Birds - Singing Wings Aviary - www.singing-wings-aviary.com (A great source for these beautiful little finches)
Mutations/Sub-species:
Several color mutations are now established including Lutino, Cinnamon and Isabel.
Diet:
A good Greenfinch diet must include a mixture of millets, canary grass seeds, wild seeds and green food . These birds are especially fond of Safflower, Thistle and sprouted seeds. They will require more green food when breeding. While they are not as insectivorous as some birds they do enjoy live food. Ant eggs, small mealworms, waxworms and fruit fly larva can be mixed in with soft food and offered on occasion. Fresh water, cuttlebone and grit should also be supplied at all times. Lettuce, Spinach, Chickweed, spray millet, Eggfood, Brocolli tops and Carrot tops can also be offered on a regular basis.
General Care:
Generaly hardy and easy to care for this species loves to bath and needs fresh bath water daily.
Compatibility:
European Greenfinches can be kept in a mixed aviary with birds of similar size or in individual pairs.
Housing:
Many Greenfinches are house in individual breeding cages much like Canaries. However, they will thrive in a large planted aviary with plenty of room to fly and sing.
Breeding:
Establish Greenfinch pairs can be very free breeders. They will breed in a good size cage or flight normaly from October to January. They prefer a Canary type nest positioned in a high sheltered spot such as the corner of a cage. Artifical plant covering around the nest will provide them with the nest privacy they need. Nesting material supplied can be dried moss, feathers, or soft Canary nesting material. The average clutch consist of 4-6 eggs which hatch after 14-17 days. The hen incubates the eggs alone for the most part while the male guards the nest. After the eggs hatch it is important to supply the parents with adequate Teasel, greenfood, eggfood and livefood. The young, brown streaked Greenfinches will fledge around 2 weeks old. The male then assumes feeding responsibilities until the young are weaned.
Care and Feeding:
For further information, please refer to the finch websites listed under the heading or, for more general information, the below web resources are helpful:- Sources for Purchasing or Adopting your Companion or Aviary Birds
- Optimal nutrition to keep your bird healthy
- Housing your bird / Fun & Safe Toys
- Caring for your companion bird
If you would like to add to or correct any of the above information, or would like to share with the AvianWeb visitors your own experiences, please e-mail the AvianWeb Webmaster.
Photo contributions and articles are welcome!
