About Serinus serinus (Linnaeus, 1766)
The European serin, with the scientific name Serinus serinus (Linnaeus, 1766), is a small short-tailed bird that measures 11–12 cm in length. Its upper parts are dark-streaked greyish green, and it has a yellow rump. Its yellow breast and white belly are also heavily streaked. Males have a brighter yellow face and breast, along with yellow wing bars and yellow tail sides. The song of this species is a buzzing trill, and it is very well-known in Mediterranean countries. This bird breeds across southern and central Europe and North Africa. Populations in southern Europe and along the Atlantic coast are mostly resident, while northern breeding populations migrate further south within Europe for the winter. The species prefers open woodland and cultivated land, often areas with some conifers, for breeding. It builds its nest in a shrub or tree, and lays 3–5 eggs per clutch. Outside of the breeding season, it forms flocks, which are sometimes mixed with other finch species. Its diet consists mainly of seeds, and it also eats insects during the breeding season. This small serin is an active and often conspicuous bird.
