The true finches of family Fringillidae are predominantly seed-eating songbirds. They vary from 9-23 cm. They typically have strong, stubby beaks, which - some species can be quite large. Finches are usually are inhabitants of well-wooded areas, but some can be found on mountains or even - 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 - 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


Redpoll, Common  Carduelis flammea  Found: Northern parts of North America, Europe, Asia
Photographed by: 1) D. Gordon E. Robertson - Ottawa, Ontario   2) Cephas - Quebec, Canada


Redpoll, Hoary aka Artic Redpoll  Carduelis hornemanni  Found: Northern parts of North America, Europe, Asia
Photographed by: 1) dFaulder


Siskin, Eurasian  aka Siskin  Carduelis spinus Found: Europe, Asia
Photographed by: 1, 2) Slawomir Staszczuk   3) SimonEugster



Genus Coccothraustes`

Hawfinch aka European Grosbeak   Coccothraustes coccothraustes  Found: Europe, Asia
Photographed by: 1) Marek Szczepanek  2) Slawomir Staszczuk  3) Superbass



Genus Eophona

Grosbeak, Yellow-billed   Eophona migratoria  Found: Asia
Photographed by: 1, 2) Dick Daniels - Butterfly World - Florida (tentative identification by Charlie Westerinen)  3) Pokopong
1) Male  2, 3) Female



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 Loxia  Related to genus Carduelis

Crossbill, Red Loxia curvirostra  Found: North America, Europe, Asia
Photographed by: 1) Alan D Wilson Deschutes National Forest, Near Fort Rock, Oregon
   2, 3, 4) Alan - Cabin Lake Viewing Blinds, Deschutes National Forest, Near Fort Rock, Oregon
   5) Elaine R Wilson - Cabin Lake Viewing Blinds, Deschutes National Forest, Near Fort Rock, Oregon
1) Female



Crossbill, Two-barred  Loxia leucoptera bifasciata  Found: Europe, Aisa Photographed by: MPF - Yorkshire, 54°25'12"N 1°08'00"W



Genus Pyrrhula Closely related to Pinicola

Bullfinch  aka Eurasian Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula   Found: Europe, Asia
Photographed by:  1) Siga   2) Malene Thyssen   3) Simon Eugster


Bullfinch, Grey-headed Pyrrhula erythaca  Found: Asia 
Photographed by: 1, 2, 3) Kevin Lin