Fringillidae
True finches are small to medium-sized passerine birds in the family Fringillidae, known for their stout conical bills adapted for eating seeds and nuts, and often have colorful plumage. They inhabit various habitats globally, except for Australia and polar regions, with over two hundred species across fifty genera, including canaries, siskins, and grosbeaks.
Finches were historically used in coal mines in the UK, US, and Canada to detect carbon monoxide until 1986. The smallest true finch is the Andean siskin (9.5 cm), while the largest is the collared grosbeak (up to 24 cm). They typically have strong, stubby beaks and exhibit sexual dimorphism, with males being more colorful than females.
Finches are primarily granivorous, but their diet can include arthropods and berries. They are found worldwide, favoring well-wooded areas, and have a distinctive bouncing flight. Many species are popular as cage birds, with canaries being the most prominent. Their nests are basket-shaped, built in trees or bushes.
Identifying Green Finches In Your Garden – A Comprehensive Guide
In this Bird Identification Guide, we are looking at some of the most common green-colored finches that you might see ...
Discover Common Finches in the UK
This article covers the species of finches that you might see in the British Isles. Family: Fringillidae Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) ...
Siskin (Spinus spinus) Species Guide: Appearance, Diet, Habitat, Behavior, Stats, And Conservation Status
Species Guide: Siskin (Spinus spinus)Family: Fringillidae APPEARANCE The Eurasian Siskin is a charming little finch even smaller than a greenfinch! ...
Crossbill (Loxia spp) Species Guide: Appearance, Diet, Habitat, Behavior, Stats, And Conservation Status
Species Guide: Crossbill (Loxia spp)Family: Fringillidae The Crossbill consists of six official species, three of which are UK resident: The ...
Redpoll (Acanthis SPP) Species Guide: Appearance, Diet, Habitat, Behavior, Stats, And Conservation Status
Species Guide: Redpoll (Acanthis spp)Family: Fringillidae Historically, the Redpoll was sub-divided into 3 separate species; the Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammea), ...
Hawfinch Species Guide: Appearance, Diet, Habitat, Behavior, Stats, And Conservation Status
Species Guide: Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes)Family: Fringillidae APPEARANCE The Hawfinch is the largest of the finch family of birds in the ...
European Goldfinch Species Guide: Appearance, Diet, Habitat, Behavior, Stats, And Conservation Status
Species Guide: European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)Family: Fringillidae Conservation Status Goldfinch numbers in the British Isles decreased drastically during the late ...
Common Chaffinch Species Guide: Appearance, Diet, Habitat, Behavior, Stats, And Conservation Status
Species Guide: Common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)Family: Fringillidae Conservation Status The main conservation threat to the Chaffinch is the avian disease ...
Brambling Species Guide: Appearance, Diet, Habitat, Behavior, Stats, And Conservation Status
Species Guide: Brambling (Fringilla Montifringilla)Family: Fringillidae Conservation Status The Brambling is a winter visitor to the U.K. arriving in September ...
Eurasian Bullfinch Species Guide: Appearance, Diet, Habitat, Behavior, Stats, And Conservation Status
Species Guide: Eurasian Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula)Family: Fringillidae Conservation Status Bullfinch numbers have declined significantly in the U.K., with estimates supporting ...
