Serins in Italy
When the Serin (Serinus serinus) is present in Italy, when it nests, and which native Italy plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Italy
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- March–July
- Size
- 11.5 cm, 11 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
When to expect serins in Italy
The Serin lives in Italy all year round. Mild in the south; cold, foggy winters in the Po Valley.
Mediterranean on the coasts and south, continental in the Po Valley and Alpine in the north.
Nesting in Italy
In Italy the Serin usually nests March–July. Nest site: cup in trees. Clutches are 3–4 eggs, incubated for 12–13 days; chicks fledge after 14–16 days, and pairs raise 2 per year.
- The Serin does not use enclosed nest boxes — dense native shrubs and climbers give it nest sites.
- Avoid cutting hedges during the nesting season (roughly March to August) — in the UK, disturbing an active nest is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Native Italy plants for serins
Of the native plants we track for Italy, these 4 provide food the Serin uses:
Goldfinches extract the seeds from standing heads in autumn and winter.
Seed heads for Goldfinches and a nectar source for insects.
Catkin seed for Siskins and Redpolls; many caterpillars for tit broods.
Cones hold seed that Siskins and Goldfinches feed on all winter.
Feeding in the garden
Small seeds.
- Best foods: Nyjer.
- Feeders: Nyjer feeder.
- A common town bird of southern Europe.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are serins in Italy all year?
Yes — the Serin is resident in Italy all year.
When do serins nest in Italy?
Typically March–July. Clutches are 3–4 eggs, incubated for 12–13 days, with 2 per year.
Which native plants help serins in Italy?
Teasel, Common knapweed, Silver birch, Alder are native to Italy and provide food or cover the Serin uses.
Serins in other countries
Other garden birds in Italy
Sources
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.