Oriental Greenfinch

Perching in clusters on branches like bells.

Scientific name	Carduelis sinica
English name	Oriental Greenfinch
Japanese name	河原鶸
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Fringillidae
Genus	Carduelis
Species	sinica
Full length	15cm
Distribution	Throughout Japan, East Asia

Oriental Greenfinch Characteristics and Morphology

A finch about the size of a sparrow. The body is brownish with a yellowish-green tint.
The beak, with its pink base, is thick and looks powerful. The back is brown, and the wings have yellow patches. The primary feathers are black. The tail is notched and black in color. The legs are flesh-colored.

Male

Males have more vivid coloration compared to females.
The face color is a yellowish-green brown, with darker coloration around the eyes. The belly is also darkly colored, in a brown with hints of yellowish-green.

Female

Females are closer to gray and have more subdued colors compared to males.
The area around the face is brown with a high proportion of gray. The belly color is paler than that of the male.

Song

Chirps with a "kyuru-kyuru" or "kiri-kiri" sound. The pattern is similar to the Japanese White-eye, but the voice is a bit louder.

Oriental Greenfinch Ecology

Habitat

As the Japanese name "Kawarahiwa" suggests, it mainly inhabits dry riverbeds, but is also seen in parks and low-altitude forests.

Food

Feeds on plant seeds.

Life Cycle

They maintain a certain territory during the breeding season.

Oriental Greenfinch Photos

Oriental Greenfinch Photos are introduced.
Tap the photo to open the detail page.

They move in flocks. The primary feathers are yellow.

Oriental Greenfinch Behavior

They form flocks and perch on branches in dense clusters. When they fly off, they depart while chirping with a "kyoro-kyoro" sound. They live near human settlements, and it is not uncommon to see them descending to the ground or staying in locations with a clear view.

Oriental Greenfinch Information

Naming

The scientific name "sinica" means "of China," referring to the region where this species lives. The Japanese name is thought to originate from its habitat, the "Kawara" (dry riverbed).

Oriental Greenfinch Found Locations

Along the Asa River, Hachioji City

I discovered a flock along the Asa River in Hachioji City. While strolling along the river, whenever I hear a "kiriri" chirp like a White-eye, it is usually a Grey-capped Greenfinch. They are often in reed thickets, but sometimes about 20 birds perch together in a single tree like a cluster of bells.