Greenfinch vs. Siskin — What's the Difference?

The greenfinches are small passerine birds in the genus Chloris in the subfamily Carduelinae within the Fringillidae. The species have a Eurasian distribution except for the European greenfinch, which also occurs in North Africa.

The name siskin when referring to a bird is derived from an adaptation of the German dialect words sisschen, zeischen, which are diminutive forms of Middle High German (zîsec) and Middle Low German (ziseke, sisek) words, which are themselves apparently of Slavic origin.

A widespread Eurasian finch (Carduelis chloris) having green and yellow plumage.

Any of several small finches, such as Spinus spinus, a greenish-yellow finch of Eurasia and northern Africa, or the pine siskin of North America.

Any of five distinct species of bird formerly within the genus Carduelis, now making up genus Chloris (Cuvier):

A small green and yellow European finch, Carduelis spinus spinus or Carduelis spinus, now Spinus spinus.

The European greenfinch, a common Old World finch, Carduelis chloris, now Chloris chloris, that is mainly green with yellow in the wings and tail.

Any of various similar birds in subfamily Carduelinae, principally in the genus Spinus.

The black-headed greenfinch, Carduelis ambigua, now Chloris ambigua

A small green and yellow European finch (Spinus spinus, or Carduelis spinus); - called also aberdevine.

The Oriental greenfinch, Carduelis sinica, now Chloris sinica

Small sharp-billed yellow-and-black Eurasian finch

The Vietnam greenfinch, Carduelis monguilloti, now Chloris monguilloti

The yellow-breasted greenfinch, Carduelis spinoides, now Chloris spinoides

A European finch (Ligurinus chloris); - called also green bird, green linnet, green grosbeak, green olf, greeny, and peasweep.

The Texas sparrow (Embernagra rufivirgata), in which the general color is olive green, with four rufous stripes on the head.