European Greenfinch

The introduced European greenfinch is New Zealand’s largest and heaviest-billed introduced finch. Males are olive-green with bright yellow wing edges and tail panels; females are duller and streaked, but both have a deep conical bill heavier than a chaffinch’s.

It is widespread through mainland open country but scarce in alpine country and extensive native forest. Its strong bill cracks large seeds, and birds often form mixed finch flocks outside the breeding season.

Farmland hedges, orchards, weedy margins and garden feeders are productive places to look.