Types of finches, all you need to know

Share This Article

Image of a male Bullfinch

We are used to seeing many finches, some are more common than others, however did you know about their significance in the history of evolution. To be honest I did not until I started researching for this article.

There is much written and hypothesised over the years in regards to how these finches became to evolve and even in the early years

Charles Darwin himself understood that the finches seen in the galapagos had developed and adapted due to the surrounding vegetation and food available.

Nothing new you might think about the evolution of birds and mammals. However because of the various plant life of this particular Island it led to the birds having to diversify to survive. Over time the bird’s beaks have morphed to allow the birds to forage on certain seeds and plants, thereby creating different subspecies.

An interesting paper written is ‘The tale of the finch: adaptive radiation and behavioural flexibility’, (Tebbich et al, 2010), if you would like to delve deeper into the theories and hypothesis.

Typically finches have a triangular shaped beak and can be a small to medium compact bird. They usually have forked or notched tails, moderately pointed wings and rounded or elongated bodies and round heads. They can also be quite colourful, however there are some that are more bland to allow them to blend in with their habitats. They can be the dominant species in certain areas.

The finches of the Gaolapgos are known as a classical example of adaptive radiation as illustrated in the image below.

Although finches are mainly seed eaters, some of them do supplement their diet with other foods, such as buds, fruit and insects. They also mostly feed their young on insects, spiders and invertebrates. However the Linnet is one of the few finches that will feed their young completely on seed.

As discussed above true finches are recognised as seed eating experts. Although some birds will supplement on grasses, fruits and insects depending on the time of year. Some types, like the Scottish crossbill, named so after their crossed beak, are so specialised that they only eat the seed from the Scottish pine wood and so these particular birds are only found in Scotland.

The International Ornithological Committee (IOC) recognizes there are approximately 230 – 240 species in the family of Fringillidae, which are distributed among two subfamilies.

For further information on the finch family and genus please follow this link for the IOC world bird list. https://www.worldbirdnames.org/bow/finches/

In this article we will look at some of the finches from the Family Fringillidae. Some of these you may well know and others are not so well known.

You perhaps would expect a bird that has finch within its name to be a finch. Unfortunately this is not always the case and it can make things a little confusing.

The Zebra finch as seen in the image below, is a classic example of when a finch is not a finch. Although they do have a good strong conical shaped beak, they tend to have short tails and rounded wings. Furthermore they are not categorised as being closely related to true finches and are classified in another family, the Estrildidae.

Image of Zebra Finches

A list of 20 types of finches;

American Goldfinch
Lesser Goldfinch
Lawrence’s Goldfinch
Eurasian Goldfinch
Bullfinch
Purple finch
House finch
Chaffinch
Hawfinch
Greenfinch
Pine Grosbeak
Evening grosbeak
Gray-crowned Rosy finch
Common Redpoll
Hoary Redpoll
White-winged Crossbill
Scottish Crossbill
Pine Siskin
Eurasian Siskin
Brambling

1. American Goldfinch – (scientific name – Spinus tristis)

A popular and well known NorthAmerican bird is the stunning yellow and black American Goldfinch as seen in the image above. This image demonstrates the colours of a breeding adult male. Their winter or juvenile colours are more brown and similar to that of the females. They moult twice yearly to achieve this. As you can see from the image above they have a notched / forked tail and a typical conical shaped beak of a finch.

Female American Goldfinch

Measurements	Length – 11-13 cm Wingspan – 19-22 cm Weight – 11-20g
Native to	North America
Habitat	Open country with plenty of thistles, plants & yards with feeders
Diet	Mainly seed, some insects

Range map of the American Goldfinch

Yellow – Breeding range

Green – Year-round range

Blue – Wintering range

2. Male Lesser Goldfinch – (Scientific name – Spinus psaltria)

The Lesser goldfinch is a very small finch. The males can have a solid black head and back or they can be dull green as seen in the image above and the one below of both the male and female. Their colouring is dependent on the area they are from.

Male & Female Lesser Goldfinch

Measurements	Length – 9-11 cm Wingspan – 15-20 cm Weight – 8-11.5g
Native to	Western USA, Mainly Colorado, California, Texas, although are seen in other locations
Habitat	Wooded areas, streamed areas, yards
Diet	Mainly seed

3. Lawrence’s Goldfinch – (Scientific name – Spinus lawrencei)

The attractive bird in the above image snacking on some Nyjer seed is a male Lawerence’s Goldfinch. They have a mainly grey body, black face and chin, brilliant sunshine yellow chest, and yellow and black wings and tails. The female is very similar but with a black face and chin.

Measurements	Length – 10-11 cm Wingspan – 21 cm Weight – 11g
Native to	California
Habitat	Open woodlands, dry bushy areas,
Diet	Mostly seed, some insects

4. Male European Goldfinch – (Scientific Name – Carduelis carduelis)

A colourful example of a finch is the European Goldfinch, with its red face, black mask and flashes of black and yellow colour, showing a white rump as it passes above you in a dancing flight, and it’s very distinct song. This bird is a joy to see. The differences between the male and female are quite difficult to see. The red face on a male is more intense, and the females do not have the black shoulder as the males do. You can see the difference with the image below of the female.

Female European Goldfinch

Measurements	Length – 12-13 cm Wingspan – 21-25 cm Weight – 14 -17g
Native to	Europe, West Africa, Central & Western Asia
Habitat	Parks, gardens, farmland, open woodland
Diet	Mainly seed, & loves thistles, some insects

Range map of the European Goldfinch

Carduelis carduelis carduelis

1 summer 2 all year

5. Eurasian Bullfinch (Scientific name – Pyrrhula pyrrhula)

male Bullfinch (Scientific name - Pyrrhula pyrrhula)

The striking bird above is that of the male Bullfinch. They have a pinkish-red breast, and cheeks, which makes this bird easy to spot and identify. They have a short black beak, face and cap. You can see above that they also have a white rump, and black flight feathers with a grey upper back.

The female however like most females in the bird world has less striking colours as seen in the image below.

Surprisingly these birds were once thought of as pests because of their liking to fruit buds, and many years ago people were paid for every bird caught and destroyed. Sadly their numbers have been in decline which has led to them being listed as amber on the UK conservation by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). Although this decline is no longer associated with the hand of people, the true reasons are unknown but it is thought that it could be due to decline in habitats and the reduction of large orchards. Either way it is a sad fact for such a wonderful bird species.

Female Bullfinch

Measurements	Length – 14.5 – 16.5 cm Wingspan – 22-26 cm Weight – 21-27g
Native to	Europe
Habitat	Farmland, woodland, gardens
Diet	Seeds, buds and insects

Range map of the Bullfinch

6. Purple Finch (Scientific name – Haemorhous purpureus)

This chunky sparrow looking finch above, is the Purple finch. Although purple by name it’s more of a raspberry colour. They have a short notched tail like many finches, and a strong conical beak.

The image below shows the female purple finch. Although not as colourful, they still have a striking look.

Female Purple finch

Measurements	Length – 14-17 cm Weight – 18-23g
Native to	North America
Habitat	Woodlands, forests
Diet	Seed, berries, small fruit, insects

Range map of the Purple Finch

7. Male House Finch (Scientific name – Haemorhous mexicanus)

The male House finch is very similar to the previous bird, the purple finch. However the differences are the house finch has more of a rosey-red colouring on the face and not streaks. The Purple finch is a deeper red, more on the face, neck, breast and down the back. Also the House finch has grey-brown stripes on its lower breast and under belly, and a brown back and tail. The above image shows the notched tail and conical shaped beak that finches are known for.

Female House finch

Measurements	Length – 13 -14 cm Wingspan – 20 -25 cm Weight – 16 -27g
Native to	North America
Habitat	Woodland edges, semi open area, farms, gardens
Diet	Seeds, bud, fruit

Range map of the House finch

8. Eurasian Chaffinch (Scientific name – Fringilla coelebs)

Another colourful male finch is the Chaffinch as seen above. The male has a beautiful orange-pink breast, cheeks and upper back. A blue-grey cap and neck. The white on the feathers are most notable when in flight. Although they can be seen at bird feeders, they are mostly ground feeding, under the feeders.

According to the RSPB this lovely finch is the second commonest bird in the UK.

The image below shows a female Chaffinch. They still have the white flashes in the wings and tails but the rest of the colouring is far less colourful.

Female Eurasian Chaffinch

Measurements	Length – 14.5 cm Wingspan – 24.5 -28.5 cm Weight – 18-29g
Native to	Europe
Habitat	Woodlands, parks, farmlands, gardens, healthland
Diet	Seeds, buds, shoots, fruits, insects, worms, spiders, nuts

Range map of the Eurasian Chaffinch

Yellow – Summer Green – Resident Blue – Winter

9. Hawfinch (Scientific name – Coccothraustes coccothraustes)

The Hawfinch is one of the largest of the UK’s finches, and also the rarest. An unusual looking finch with a massive beak, black eye mask and bib. The head is a warm brown in colour and with white wing bars, the tip of the tail. Again best seen in flight.

Their huge beaks are very strong, so much so they are known to crack the stones of cherries.

Measurements	Length – 16.5 – 18 cm Wingspan – 29 -33 cm Weight – 48-62g
Native to	Europe
Habitat	Woodlands & forrest
Diet	Seeds, buds, shoots, hard stone fruits such as Cherry, Invertebrates, beetles

10. Male European Greenfinch (Scientific name – Chloris Chloris)

Another large finch often seen at the bird feeders and tables after the sunflower seeds are the European Greenfinch. As you can see from the image above they have a big conical shaped beak, perfect for crushing seeds. Also they have a dark eye mask, and are, in the main, a green-yellow in colouring, with yellow flashes on the wings and tails, which are seen in flight. The female below, is again less colourful.

Female European Greenfinch

Measurements	Length – 15 cm Wingspan – 24.5 – 27.5 cm Weight – 28g
Native to	Europe
Habitat	Woodland, farmland, parks & gardens
Diet	Seeds, buds, shoots, insects, peanuts, sunflower seed

Range map of the European Greenfinch

11. Male Pine Grosbeak ( Scientific name – Pinicola enucleator)

The male Pine Grosbeak as seen above, is a large heavy finch which has a lovely strawberry pink and grey colouring to its feathers. Whilst the image below shows that females and juveniles tend to be more of a golden yellow, with grey and both have the same white bars on their wings.

Female Pine Grosbeak

Measurements	Length – 20 -25 cm Weight – 53 – 78g
Native to	North America, Eurasia, Scandinavia
Habitat	Forests, mountainous regions
Diet	Seeds, fruit, buds

Range map of the Pine Grosbeak

12. Male Evening grosbeak (Scientific name – Coccothraustes vespertinus)

Number 12 on our list is the vibrant male Evening grosbeak. This impressive looking finch as seen in the image above, has a dark head with the most wonderful golden yellow eye stripes, and mainly yellow plumage. They also have a white patch patch on their black wings. These are large finches and are stocky, with thick conical beaks.

The female below is mostly grey, and has white and black wings. You can also see they have a green tinge to the beak and yellow colouring to their neck.

Female Evening grosbeak

Measurements	Length – 16-18 cm Wingspan – 30-36 cm Weight – 53-74g
Native to	North America
Habitat	Forests, gardens
Diet	Seeds, buds, berries

Range map of the Evening Grosbeak

13. Male Grey-crowned rosy finch (Scientific name – Leucosticte tephrocotis)

An unusual coloured finch is the male Grey-crowned rosy finch as seen above. As its name suggests it does have a grey crown. It also has a black fore-crown or cap. The colour of its main plumage is a mix of brown and pink, or rosy coloured.

The female below is mainly brown but does still have a grey crown and some rosy colouring to the wings and belly aspects.

Female Grey-crowned rosy finch

Measurements	Length – 15-17 cm Wingspan – 33 cm Weight – 42- 60g
Native to	Alaska, Western Canada, North Western USA
Habitat	Mountains, Alpine, tundra
Diet	Seeds, insects

14. Male Common Redpoll (Scientific name – Acanthis flammea)

The small finch above is the male common Redpoll, also known as the mealy redpoll. As you can see they are mainly a streaky brown, white with some black. However the males have a splendid red cap and breast. The female and immature have only the red cap, as seen below.

Female / Immature Common Redpoll

Measurements	Length – 12-14 cm Wingspan – 19-22 cm Weight – 11-20g
Native to	North America, Southern Canada, Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, UK winter visiter
Habitat	Open woodland, farmland, wetland, bushy areas of tundra
Diet	Mainly seeds, will take insects

Range map of the Common redpoll

15. Hoary Redpoll (Scientific name – Acanthis hornemanni)

The next finch is the Hoary finch or as some may know it, the Arctic redpoll. This bird above is paler than its cousins, and has grey streaks, although some do have a grey/brown streak colouring. The males have a red cap and a pink wash through their breast feathers, as you can see in the image above. While the female and immature birds again only have the red cap as below. Both have tiny yellow conical shaped bills. A lovely looking bird.

Female / Immature Hoary Redpoll

Measurements	Length – 12 – 14cm Wingspan – 20 -25cm Weight – 11 – 20g
Native to	Alaska, Greenland, Canada
Habitat	Fields, Meadows, and Grasslands, Forests and Woodlands, Freshwater Wetlands, Shrublands, Savannas, and Thickets, Tundra and Boreal Habitats
Diet	Seeds, buds, catkins, insects, spiders

Range map of the Hoary Redpoll

16. Male White-winged crossbill (Scientific name – Loxia leucoptera)

This thickset attractive male finch is one of those finches who have evolved even further to ensure its survival by changing the shape of its beak. As you can see in the images above, they have a crossed bill, as their name suggests. This adaptation from the norm means they have access to seeds from pine cones which other birds do not, thereby limiting the competition. The males’ colour can vary from deep red to more pink red, they have two distinct white bars on their wings with black and black on the tails also.

The images below show the female/immature birds’ colour is very different. They have a more yellow colouring, but they also have the two white wing bars.

Female / Immature White-winged crossbill

Measurements	Length – 15 -17cm Wingspan – 26 – 28cm Weight – 24 – 26g
Native to	Northern hemisphere
Habitat	Forests
Diet	Seeds

Range map of the White-winged crossbill

Purple – Year-round

Blue – Non-breeding

17. Male Scottish Crossbill (Scientific name – Loxia scotica)

The beautiful Scottish crossbill shown in the above image, is another bird which has developed a crossed bill as to access certain plants for their seeds. These birds are endemic bird to the British Isles, and as such they are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

They are quite a large and compact little finch, with a rounded head and large bill. The males are a rusty red colouring, whilst the females are more green as seen in the image below.

Female Scottish Crossbill

Measurements	Length – 17cm Wingspan – 19cm Weight – 43g
Native to	Northern Scotland
Habitat	Conifer forests & pine woods
Diet	Seeds

Range map of the Scottish Crossbill

18. Pine Siskin (Scientific name – Spinus pinus)

This North American bird is a pine siskin but is still classed as finch despite its name. They have a small pointed bill for a finch, but they do still have the finch tail with the notch. These are small birds and as you can see from the above image they are mainly streaky brown, with yellow on the edges of their feathers to the wings and the tail.

Measurements	Length – 11-14 cm Wingspan – 18-22 cm Weight – 12-18 cm
Native to	North America
Habitat	Open woodland
Diet	Seed

Range map of the Pine Siskin

19. Eurasian Siskin – (Scientific name – Spinus spinus)

The Eurasian Siskin is a small bird, with yellow and black stripes on their wings and a mainly olive green – yellow body. The male has a black cap and bib as seen above and the female’s colours are more muted as you can see in the image below.

They are a common bird throughout Europe and can sometimes be seen mixed with Redpolls in the winter.

Female Eurasian Siskin

Measurements	Length – 12 cm Wingspan – 20-23 cm Weight – 12-18g
Native to	Europe
Habitat	Woodland, gardens & suburbs
Diet	Seed

Range map off the European Siskin

image of a range map of the European siskin

20. Brambling – (Scientific name – Fringilla montifringilla)

Male Brambling – Summer/Breeding colours

Image of male brambling with breeding colours

The last finch in our list is this lovely male Brambling as seen above in its breeding colours. The breeding or summer colouring difference is mainly the black head. Otherwise they have an orange breast, white underparts. The Brambling are similar in shape and size to the chaffinch who they buddy up with in the winter time. You can spot the Brambling in flight as you can see the white rear.

The image below shows a male Brambling in its non-breeding colours.

image of a male brambling with winter colouring

The female as seen in the image below has more of a brown/grey coloured head and they have two black lines running from the top of the heads down to the back of the neck.

Female Brambling

Measurements	Length – 14cm Wingspan – 25-26cm Weight – 24g
Native to	Europe & Asia
Habitat	Farmland, woodland, suburban
Diet	Seed, berries, nuts

Range map of the Brambling

Light green – Breeding

Dark green – Resident