Although less than 100 greenfinch were introduced from Europe between 1862-68 they are now common throughout New Zealand in farmland shelterbelts, the edges of pine plantations and native bush and scrub fringes, orchards and large gardens.  In autumn and winter they often form large flocks. 

This olive green finch has a pale heavy bill and prominent yellow on the sides of the tail and the edges of the closed wing.  The brightest coloured males olive green males have a conspicuous yellow eyebrow and yellowish belly.  The females are a browner dull olive green.  In the breeding season the male’s call is a repeated harsh drawn out “dzwee” (like a long tailed cuckoo call).  Other common calls are a pleasant twittering “chichichichichit-teu, teu, teu, teu” and a rising “tsooeet”. 

Greenfinch feed mainly on seeds (maize, cereals, oilseed, rape, brassicas, linseed, sunflowers, peas, hops, redroot, chickweed, storksbill, thistles and pine) supplemented with fruit buds and a few invertebrates. 

Breeding is between October and March and 2 clutches a year are laid.  A largish, untidy nest of twigs, grasses, moss, rootlets and wool lined with finer material and wool is built in a fork towards the top of a small shrub, tree or gorse bush or in the top of a spreading branch of a large conifer or oak.  A clutch of 3-6 pale blue to light grey eggs with scattered brown spots and blotches is incubated by the female for 11-15 days.  She is fed on the nest by the male.  Both parents infrequently feed the young by regurgitation during the fledgling period of 13-17 days.

Seldom seen on Tiritiri Matangi Island.

Photography by: Max McRae ©

References: Heather, B.D.; Robertson, H.A. 2000 The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand. Auckland, Viking.
Moon, G The Reed Field Guide to New Zealand Birds.