Welcome to my second instalment about the birds I didn't know about. I am definitely getting more fascinated with them and love seeing the different type of birds. Unfortunately, my bird knowledge isn't perfect, but it has allowed me to research and learn about them. I hope you found what I have found out interesting.
Greenfinch
I haven't seen Greenfinches before until I found the Hide at Center Parcs, which enable me to see them. Here are ten facts about them.
They have become increasingly common in towns and villages, nesting in parks and gardens since the 1950s.
Few birds show as much enthusiasm for feeders as this finch, and peanuts, sunflowers, and other seeds readily attract it.
Greenfinches are sociable birds and often feed in company with other ground-foraging species, including tree sparrows, linnets, yellowhammers and reed buntings.
British birds generally start breeding in early April, with their first clutches complete by the end of the month.
The clutch consists of four to six eggs, and incubation takes 11-15 days, with fledging taking place 14-18 days later.
These finches have been widely introduced to other countries. Today, they are well established in South-East Australia, including Tasmania, both the North and South Islands of New Zealand and Uruguay and Argentina.
There has been a marked decline in the British population since 2006 due to Trichomonosis. This is the name given to a disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trichomonas gallinae.
Birds suffering from Trichomonosis appear lethargic and puffed-up and have difficulty swallowing food. Death can take days, but sometimes weeks.
Trichomonosis is spread by birds sharing dirty feeders or drinking water; strict hygiene, including regular cleaning of feeders and disinfecting the ground under the feeders, will help prevent disease outbreaks.
Nearly all the local names for the greenfinch refer to its colour. They include green linnet and green grosbeak.
For more information, visit: 21 Facts on Greenfinch - Tweetapedia - Living with Birds.
Goldfinch
Goldfinch is so beautiful, and I was really spoilt at the Hide in Center Parcs. Here are 10 facts about them.
There are just three species of goldfinches in the world - our familiar bird, plus two across the Atlantic, the widespread American goldfinch and Lawrence's goldfinch, found in the southwest USA.
Young goldfinches lack the red face of the adult and are often known as grey pates.
The collective name for goldfinches, a charm, is derived from the old English c'irm describing the bird's twittering song.
Goldfinches rejoice in several old rural names, including goldie, gold linnet, redcap and King Harry.
Male goldfinches have longer beaks than females, allowing them to feed on teasels, something the females seldom attempt.
Though chiefly vegetarian, feeding on seeds, they will also take small insects such as aphids in spring.
Goldfinches like to build their nests on the outer twigs at the end of a branch: they particularly favour fruit trees.
Most pairs attempt to rear two broods a year; some rear three.
Goldfinches are highly social, flocking soon after the breeding season has finished.
Autumn flocks may sometimes number thousands of birds
Find out more information; please visit 21 Facts about Goldfinches - All creatures.... - Wildlife - The RSPB Community
Female Chaffinch
I really struggled to find out what type of bird from my photo below. Someone who gave me a good tip, Merlin Bird ID, turned out to be a Female Chaffinch. As you can see in my first post about birds, I didn't know about the Chaffinch's facts; the photos show the male Chaffinch. This is why I am loving learning about the birds.
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