Carduelis chloris, Greenfinch

Common Name: Greenfinch

With its twittering and wheezing song, and flash of yellow and green as it flies, Carduelis chloris, more commonly known as the Greenfinch, is a truly colourful character. Nesting in a garden conifer, or feasting on black sunflower seeds, it is a regular garden visitor, able to take advantage of food in rural and urban gardens.

Although quite sociable, they may squabble among themselves or with other birds at the bird table. A recent decline in numbers has been linked to an outbreak of trichomonosis, a parasite-induced disease which prevents the birds from feeding properly.

A common countryside bird found in woods and hedges, but mostly found close to man on farmland and in parks, town and village gardens and orchards. Only absent from upland areas without trees and bushes. Diet consists of seeds and insects and they can be seen all year round in the UK.

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