Greenfinch nest

greenfinch nest

Greenfinch nest image from John Gould's Birds of Europe, 1832-37.

Greenfinch nest

The distinctive breeding season call of the male greenfinch is a repeated, harsh, drawn out call reminiscent of a long-tailed cuckoo but not quite so strident.

According to Heather & Robertson, the greenfinch often nests in loose colonies, sometimes within a few metres of each other. The nest is cup shaped, composed of twigs and moss lined with rootlets and feathers; placed in a shrub or tree, usually at varying heights, and built by the female. The eggs are dull white to greenish–blue, sparingly marked red-brown and pale violet, approximately 21 mm by 15 mm. Incubation is 13–14 days, by the female. After the young hatch, they are fed by both parents.

greenfinch nest

Greenfinch image from John Gould's Birds of Great Britain, 1862-73.

Taxonomy  
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Genera: Carduelis
Species: chloris
Sub Species:  
Other common names:  —

Green linnet, european greenfinch, green grosbeak.

Description:  — 

Introduced bird

14-16 cm., 28 g., dull green with green-yellow streaked wings and side of tail; tail black and forked; heavy ivory bill; large head. Female is duller, yellow less obvious; juvenile has duller bill and plumage.

Where to find:  — 

Widespread and common. 

More Information:  — 

Greenfinch
LINK to Greenfinch Main Page

Illustration description: — 

Gould, John, Birds of Europe, 1832-37.

Gould, John, Birds of Great Britain, 1862-73.

Reference(s): — 

Heather, B., & Robertson, H., Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand, 2000.

Oliver, W.R.B., New Zealand Birds, 1955.

Page date & version: — 

Sunday, 27 August, 2023; ver2023v1