Oriental Greenfinch (Chloris sinica) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

The Oriental Greenfinch is a small, seed-eating finch native to eastern Asia, with a stout, pale bill and yellow patches in its wings and tail. The American Goldfinch has white wingbars rather than the broad yellow wing patches of the Oriental Greenfinch.

Appearance

Appearance: It is about 5.5 in (14 cm) long, with a stout pale bill, a brown body washed with yellow-green, and vivid yellow patches in the wings and tail.
Voice: A high, twittering call often gives away a flock passing overhead.

Look-alikes

American GoldfinchSpinus tristis

An American Goldfinch is smaller, about 4.3–5.1 in (11–13 cm), and shows white wingbars rather than a broad yellow wing patch. Breeding males also have a black forehead and a much brighter yellow body.

Why they get mixed upBoth are small seed-eating finches with yellow, black, and olive tones.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: woodland edges
farmland
parks and gardens
Range: It is native to eastern Asia, including Korea, Japan, eastern Russia, and China. A California record was not accepted as a naturally occurring wild bird.
Seasonal presence: Some northern populations move south in winter, while many birds farther south remain year-round.

Behavior

Diet: It mainly eats seeds and buds, and it also takes insects during the breeding season.
Social life: It is often seen in flocks outside the breeding season.

Life cycle

Nest: In its native range, it builds a cup nest in a tree or shrub from dry grasses, roots, bark, and moss.
Clutch size: A typical clutch contains about 3–5 eggs.
Incubation: Incubation lasts roughly 11–13 days.

Name and classification

About the name: Older references called it Carduelis sinica. It is also called the Gray-capped Greenfinch.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: LCLeast ConcernLow risk of extinction

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