Brambling
Least ConcernFringilla montifringilla
Visual Identification
Brambling
Appearance
The Brambling is a striking small finch with a distinctive orange breast and shoulders, contrasting sharply with its black head in breeding males. Its white rump and belly stand out in flight, while the back is mottled brown and black. The wings feature prominent white patches and bars.
Females and winter males are less colourful, with buff-orange breasts and brownish heads. Both sexes display a yellowish bill that darkens to black at the tip during breeding season.
Size
Length
14cm to 16cm
Wingspan
23cm to 26cm
Weight
18g to 29g
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Bramblings breed in northern boreal forests across Scandinavia and Siberia. During winter, they migrate south and west, reaching as far as the UK, southern Europe, and occasionally North Africa. They favour deciduous and mixed woodlands, particularly those with beech trees.
In the UK, Bramblings are winter visitors, and their numbers fluctuate greatly from year to year depending on food availability and weather conditions on the continent.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 2,000 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subarctic
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
Bramblings primarily feed on seeds, especially beech mast, influencing their winter distribution. They also consume small invertebrates, particularly during the breeding season, including springtails, aphids, bugs, earwigs, bees, ants, wasps and spiders.
In gardens, they readily visit bird feeders, showing a preference for sunflower seeds and niger seeds.
During summer, prey is found in foliage or picked from bark and leaves, while in the autumn and winter, it’s more common to see Bramblings foraging on the ground for fallen seeds.
Behaviour
Bramblings are highly social, often forming large flocks outside the breeding season. They have a characteristic bouncing flight and can be seen foraging on the ground in open woodlands.
During migration, they may gather in enormous numbers, creating spectacular roosting displays in favoured locations.
Vocalisation
The Brambling's call is a nasal, buzzing 'tsweee' or 'zhweee', often given in flight. Their song heard mainly in breeding areas, is a rapid, chattering warble interspersed with harsh notes, somewhat reminiscent of a squeaky wheel.
During winter, Bramblings are largely silent.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding occurs from May to July in their northern range. Males establish territories and attract females with song flights and displays. Pairs form monogamous bonds for the breeding season.
Nests are typically built in trees, often birch or spruce, and are mainly constructed by the female using moss, lichen, and grass. The clutch usually consists of 5-7 pale blue or greenish eggs with reddish-brown spots.
Incubation lasts about 11-12 days, primarily by the female. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after 13-14 days. Families may remain together for a short period post-fledging before joining larger flocks.
Lifespan
The Brambling typically lives for 2 to 5 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 14.8 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Bramblings in mixed finch flocks during winter
- Listen for their nasal 'tsweee' call, which is often the first sign of their presence
- Check beech woods in autumn, where they feed on fallen beech mast
- In the UK, scan garden bird feeders during cold snaps for visiting Bramblings
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Mountain Finch
Family:
FringillidaePredators
Did You Know?
- Bramblings can form enormous winter roosts, with one in Switzerland once estimated to contain 70 million birds.
- Their scientific name, Fringilla montifringilla, means 'mountain finch' in Latin.
- Bramblings are one of the few bird species that can digest beech nuts, giving them a competitive advantage in beech forests.
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References
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website: BirdLife International. 2016. Fringilla montifringilla. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22720041A88203665.
View source - 4
report, 2015: EBCC
- 1
journalArticle, 2006: Moller, Sociality, age at first reproduction and senescence: comparative analyses of birds, J Evol Biol, 19:682-689
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