The true finches of family Fringillidae are predominantly seed-eating songbirds. They vary from 9-23 cm. They typically have strong, stubby beaks, which in some species can be quite large. Finches are usually are inhabitants of well-wooded areas, but some can be found on mountains or even in deserts. True finches have a bouncing flight like most small passerines, alternating bouts of flapping with gliding on closed wings. The nests are basket-shaped and usually built in trees.

They are not closely related to the Estrildid Finches.


Genus Carduelis Closely related to genus Serinus

Goldfinch, European Carduelis carduelis Found: North America (some escapees), Europe, Asia, Africa, New Zealand (introduced)
Photographed by: 1) Dick Daniels - England   2) Dick - New Zealand  


Greenfinch, European Carduelis chloris Found: Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia (introduced), New Zealand (introduced)
Photographed by: 1, 3) Andreas Trepte   2) Marek Szczepanek


Linnet Carduelis cannabina Found: Europe, Asia, Africa
Photographed by: 1) Edwyn Anderton  2) andy li - Xinjiang, China



Genus Fringilla

Brambling Fringilla montifringilla    Found: North America, Europe, Asia, Africa
Photographed by: 1) Angie & Chris Pye  2) Maris Pukitis - Latvia  3) Chris Cant



Genus Serinus Closely related to genus Carduelis

Canary, Brimstone aka Bully Canary Serinus sulphuratus  Found: Southern Africa
Photographed by:  1, 2) Arno Meintjes   3, 4, 5) Dick Daniels on the road from Swellendam To De Hoop, South Africa



Canary aka  Common Canary  Serinus canaria  Found: Canary Islands,  Azors, Madeira
Photographed by:  1, 2) Haplochromis  3, 4) Juan Emilio


Canary, Cape  Serinus canicollis Found: Africa
Photographed by by: 1, 2, 3) Dick Daniels - Oudtshoorn, South Africa


Canary, White-fronted aka White-throated Canary Serinus albogularis  Found: Africa
Photographed by: Mercedes Lisón Martín - Namibia


Canary, Yellow Serinus flaviventris  Found: Africa
Photographed by: Alan Manson - South Africa


Canary, Yellow-fronted Serinus mozambicus  Found: North America (escapees), Africa, Hawaii
Photographed by: 1) Kanalu Chock  2, 3) Dick Daniels - Hawaii


Citril, African Serinus citrinelloides   Found: Africa
Photographed by: 1, 2) DIck Daniels - Tanzania


Seedeater, Brown-rumped  Serinus tristriatus  Found: Africa
Photographed by Alastair Rae


Seedeater, Streaky  Serinus striolatus  Found: Africa
Photographed by Steve Garvie - Mountain Lodge, Mount Kenya


Seedeater, Streaky-head  aka Streaky-head Canary  Serinus gularis  Found: Africa
Photographed by: 1) Dick Daniels - Plettenberg Bay, South Africa