29-4-2023 SERPIS GANDIA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN SERIN (FEMALE) (Serinus serinus)

The European serin is a small short-tailed bird, 11–12 cm in length. The upper parts are dark-streaked greyish green, with a yellow rump. The yellow breast and white belly are also heavily streaked. The male has a brighter yellow face and breast, yellow wing bars and yellow tail sides. The song of this bird is a buzzing trill, very familiar in Mediterranean countries.

It breeds across southern and central Europe and North Africa. Southern and Atlantic coast populations are largely resident, but the northern breeders migrate further south in Europe for the winter. Open woodland and cultivation, often with some conifers, is favoured for breeding. It builds its nest in a shrub or tree, laying 3–5 eggs. It forms flocks outside the breeding season, sometimes mixed with other finches.

The food is mainly seeds, and, in the breeding season, insects. This small serin is an active and often conspicuous bird.

20-3-2023 BENISSUERA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN SERIN (FEMALE) (Serinus serinus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/9236-Serinus-serinus

30-11-2022 PARQUE NATURAL DE TURIA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN SERIN (FEMALE) (Serinus serinus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/9236-Serinus-serinus

30-11-2022 PARQUE NATURAL DE TURIA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN SERIN (FEMALE) (Serinus serinus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/9236-Serinus-serinus

27-6-2022 RIO SERPIS GANDIA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN SERIN (FEMALE) (Serinus serinus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/9236-Serinus-serinus

24-2-2022 OLIVA CANAL LES FONTS, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN SERIN (FEMALE) (Serinus serinus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/9236-Serinus-serinus

29-1-2022 GANDIA RIO SERPIS, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN SERIN (FEMALE) (Serinus serinus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/9236-Serinus-serinus

8-1-2022 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN SERIN (FEMALE) (Serinus serinus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/9236-Serinus-serinus

29-2-2020 SAN CARLOS PARQUE, MADRID - EUROPEAN SERIN (FEMALE) (Serinus serinus)

7-12-2019 GANDIA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN SERIN (FEMALE) (Serinus serinus)

11-11-2017 GANDIA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN SERIN (FEMALE) (Serinus serinus)

The European serin, or simply the serin (Serinus serinus), is a diminutive member of the finch family, Fringillidae. This sprightly bird is the smallest within its family, closely related to the Atlantic canary. It is characterized by its short tail and a length that spans a mere 11 to 12 centimeters. The serin's plumage is a tapestry of nature's palette, with upper parts dappled in dark-streaked greyish green and a conspicuous yellow rump. The underparts are a canvas of yellow breast and white belly, both adorned with heavy streaks.

It is small in size and has a very small, somewhat flat bill. Both sexes have profuse streaking on the back with a yellow rump. Males have a bright yellow face and breast, while females have a greyish brown. It is common in parks, gardens, cities, agricultural areas and forest edges. It often sings from power lines, poles, TV antennas or from the tops of trees. It often sings intensely also in flight with “slow motion” wingbeats. It feeds on seeds and sometimes invertebrates.

When attempting to identify the European serin, look for the male's radiant yellow face and breast, which stand out against the greenish backdrop of its feathers. The male also boasts yellow wing bars and yellow tail sides, which can be quite helpful in distinguishing it from similar species. Both sexes share a buzzing trill of a song that resonates through their Mediterranean habitats.

The European serin is partial to open woodland and cultivated areas, often with a sprinkling of conifers. These environments provide the perfect backdrop for breeding and foraging.

This species has a breeding range that extends across southern and central Europe and into North Africa. Populations along the southern and Atlantic coasts tend to be resident, while those in the north are migratory, seeking warmer climates in southern Europe during the winter months.

Outside of the breeding season, the European serin is a sociable creature, forming flocks that may sometimes mingle with other finch species. It is an active and often conspicuous bird, its presence easily announced by its distinctive trill.

The serin's song is a distinctive buzzing trill, a sound that becomes part of the ambient music in regions where these birds are common.

The European serin weaves its nest within the shelter of a shrub or tree, where it lays a clutch of 3 to 5 eggs. The chosen breeding habitats are often areas of open woodland and cultivation, with a preference for some conifers.

The diet of the European serin is predominantly seeds, but it does not shy away from including insects during the breeding season, providing essential protein for its young.

The IUCN Red List categorizes the European serin as Least Concern, indicating that, for now, this species does not face any imminent threats to its survival.

7-10-2017 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN SERIN (FEMALE) (Serinus serinus)

When not breeding European serins are usually seen alone or in pares and also form flocks, sometimes mixed with other finches. They are active and often conspicuous birds. They spend their day walking or hopping on the ground in search of food. They also feed in trees and bushes. The song of European serins is a buzzing trill, very familiar in Mediterranean countries.

European serins are herbivores (granivores) and carnivores (insectivores). Their diet includes mainly seeds, buds, and flowers. During the breeding season, they mainly feed on insects.

European serins are monogamous and form pairs that may nest singly or in loose groups. Their breeding season takes place from February until early August. The female builds the nest in a shrub or tree and lays 3 to 5 eggs. The female incubates the eggs alone for 13-14 days but both parents care and feed the newly hatched chicks. The young start to fly when they are 15-18 days old and become independent 9-10 days later.

4-5-2017 CORDOBA, ANDALUCIA - EUROPEAN SERIN (FEMALE) (Serinus serinus)

The European serin, or simply the serin (Serinus serinus ), is the smallest European species of the family of finches (Fringillidae) and is closely related to the Atlantic canary. Its diet consists mainly of a combination of buds and seeds.

The European serin is a small short-tailed bird, 11–12 cm in length. The upper parts are dark-streaked greyish green, with a yellow rump. The yellow breast and white belly are also heavily streaked. The male has a brighter yellow face and breast, yellow wing bars and yellow tail sides. The song of this bird is a buzzing trill, very familiar in Mediterranean countries.

It breeds across southern and central Europe and North Africa. Southern and Atlantic coast populations are largely resident, but the northern breeders migrate further south in Europe for the winter. Open woodland and cultivation, often with some conifers, is favoured for breeding. It builds its nest in a shrub or tree, laying 3–5 eggs. It forms flocks outside the breeding season, sometimes mixed with other finches.

The food is mainly seeds, and, in the breeding season, insects. This small serin is an active and often conspicuous bird.

23-5-2015 GANDIA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN SERIN (FEMALE) (Serinus serinus)

This small finch is typically a scarce visitor to the UK. Pairs occasionally breed in southern England and the Channel Islands.

These streaky yellow finches can often be pinpointed by their loud, scratchy song. Their breeding range extends across southern, central and eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. In northern parts of the breeding range, the species is partially migratory.

Serins are associated with coniferous woodland habitats, as well as agricultural areas, parks and gardens. They feed on seeds, buds, flowers and small invertebrates.

16-6-2016 OLIVA CAMPO - EUROPEAN SERIN (FEMALE) (Serinus serinus)

The European Serin is a rare passage visitor to the UK, with pairs occasionally breeding in southern England and the Channel Islands. This small finch favours coniferous woodlands but will also make use of farmland, parks and gardens, with their loud abrasive song usually the first indication of their presence. They breed across the Middle East, and Central Europe, where they are partially migratory.

These stunning yellow finches are a very rare sight in the UK. Both males and females have streaky bright yellow and brown backs, wings and flanks and a forked tail. Their bellies are yellow/white in colour which becomes bright yellow on their breast. Males have bright yellow heads with black feathers on their crowns and cheeks, while females have slightly duller colouration on their heads. The bright yellow colouration of the males helps the females choose a mate as brighter plumage is an indicator of a healthy male.

9-5-2016 PEGO MARSHES, ALICANTE - EUROPEAN SERIN (FEMALE) (Serinus serinus)

The European serin, or simply the serin (Serinus serinus ), is the smallest European species of the family of finches (Fringillidae) and is closely related to the Atlantic canary. Its diet consists mainly of a combination of buds and seeds.

The European serin is a small short-tailed bird, 11–12 cm in length. The upper parts are dark-streaked greyish green, with a yellow rump. The yellow breast and white belly are also heavily streaked. The male has a brighter yellow face and breast, yellow wing bars and yellow tail sides. The song of this bird is a buzzing trill, very familiar in Mediterranean countries.

It breeds across southern and central Europe and North Africa. Southern and Atlantic coast populations are largely resident, but the northern breeders migrate further south in Europe for the winter. Open woodland and cultivation, often with some conifers, is favoured for breeding. It builds its nest in a shrub or tree, laying 3–5 eggs. It forms flocks outside the breeding season, sometimes mixed with other finches.

The food is mainly seeds, and, in the breeding season, insects. This small serin is an active and often conspicuous bird.

22-4-2014 GANDIA PLAYA, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN SERIN (FEMALE) (Serinus serinus)

18-2-2016 OLIVA MARJAL, VALENCIA - EUROPEAN SERIN (FEMALE) (Serinus serinus)

The European serin, or simply the serin (Serinus serinus ), is the smallest European species of the family of finches (Fringillidae) and is closely related to the Atlantic canary. Its diet consists mainly of a combination of buds and seeds.

The European serin is a small short-tailed bird, 11–12 cm in length. The upper parts are dark-streaked greyish green, with a yellow rump. The yellow breast and white belly are also heavily streaked. The male has a brighter yellow face and breast, yellow wing bars and yellow tail sides. The song of this bird is a buzzing trill, very familiar in Mediterranean countries.

It breeds across southern and central Europe and North Africa. Southern and Atlantic coast populations are largely resident, but the northern breeders migrate further south in Europe for the winter. Open woodland and cultivation, often with some conifers, is favoured for breeding. It builds its nest in a shrub or tree, laying 3–5 eggs. It forms flocks outside the breeding season, sometimes mixed with other finches.

The food is mainly seeds, and, in the breeding season, insects. This small serin is an active and often conspicuous bird.