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Wild birds like any other animal species are adapted to their environment, and this is especially important for them to feed properly, be in good health to breed, and find a place of shelter and protection against predators.
Every species has a peculiar way of surviving and is part of a community of other living and inanimate beings that constitutes its natural habitat. There is an enormous variety of habitats, and the type of environment depends on the bird species.
Birds are no exception to the rule, and songbirds (or passerine), though the tiniest of all bird species, cover half the species of birds in the world and have colonized all corners of the planet.
Soon you’ll find here specific information on the main songbird species, but you may start by reading about the greenfinch. All these songbirds are to be found free in the wild, but certain of them have been occasionally domesticated and kept as pets.
It’s the case with Piew-Piew that – though being a wild bird – is well accustomed to living with humans.
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GREENFINCH
The greenfinch in the photo is Piew-Piew. The European greenfinch, or just greenfinch, is a small passerine bird similar in size and shape to a house sparrow, but is mainly green, with yellow in the wings and a distinctly forked tail.
The female and young birds are duller and have brown tones on the back.
The male’s song contains wheezes and twitters, and during the courting ritual the male displays a butterfly-like flight.
Greenfinches form colonies in parks and gardens with relatively thick vegetation. Their diet is seeds, buds and berries.
As most birds, greenfinches nest in trees or bushes in spring. The nest is made from twigs and grass, and lined with fine roots and hair, and built by the female.
As you certainly know, Piew-Piew fell from its nest on top of a tree just in front of our house, and my “boss” fed him as a pet.
The smooth, glossy eggs are white to pale beige with blackish markings, and approximately 21 mm by 15 mm. The female incubates the eggs by herself. After the young hatch, they are fed by both parents.
Greenfinches usually live 5 years, but can exceptionally reach 11 or even 13 years. Piew-Piew is older than 11!
Greenfinches are widespread throughout Europe, north Africa and south west Asia, and they have also been introduced into both Australia and New Zealand.
Due to Portugal’s mild winters, they are mainly resident, but some northernmost populations migrate further south.
Greenfinches are very friendly birds and can be kept – and even breed - in cages much like Canaries.
But their cages should have plenty of room for them to fly and sing.
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Dulce Rodrigues |
