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Identification
Length: 14cm.
This
is the largest yellow-green finch present in Europe. The upper parts
are brownish-green, yellower on rump, brownish mustachio streak.
The ear coverts, sides of neck and flanks are also brownish-green.
Under parts are a yellowish-green tinged from grey to greenish-yellow
on belly, lower belly and under-tail covers are a greyish. Their
flight feathers are brown-black fringed grey and yellow-green. The
bill is pale pink with a brown tip and their legs are a pale flesh-colour.
The female has browner upper parts and greyer under parts, there
is less yellow on the tail feathers. The young Greenfinch's are
similar to the female, except the upper parts are clearly streaked
brown, the rump is brown and wing coverts are brown.
The flight of the Greenfinch is undulating. It does not venture
far from trees. The males seek to attract females by hopping, with
one wing raised, head erect, mouth open and tail spread.
Call
The main call is a 'cheep' or 'cheek', especially in flight. Their
song is a series of twittering notes ending in a nasal 'scaar'.
Reproduction
Breeding starts from late April. The build nests in hedgerows,
bushes and small trees., in a fork of branches or against the trunk.
The nest is a bulky cup of grasses, plant stems and moss, lined
with plant fibres, roots and feathers.
The female lays four to six eggs, light bluish-white with brownish-red
spots and blotches of purplish markings. The female alone incubate
for about twelve to fourteen days. They young are fed by both adults
and remain in the nest for thirteen to sixteen days. Two broods,
rarely three.
Habitat
The Greenfinch lives in gardens, wooded countryside, parks and orchards.
Natural
Food
Chiefly seeds, also insects.
Where
to Feed
Ground Feed - Scatter food in the open
Ground Feed - Scatter food near cover
Table Feeder - Open topped
Table Feeder - Covered
Feeders - Minimum 1m height Suitable
Wild Bird Food from the Shop
Ark Wild Bird Mix
Ark Wild Bird XTRA
Ark 'No Grow' Scatter XTRA
Ark Feeder Mix
Ark 'No Mess' Feeder Mix
Ark 'All-Purpose' Mix
Ark Songbird Softbill with Insects
Live Food
Fat Balls
Suet Blocks
Peanuts
Sunflower Seeds
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