Chaffinch
Least ConcernFringilla coelebs
Visual Identification
Chaffinch
Appearance
The male Chaffinch is a colourful bird with a blue-grey crown and nape, pinkish-red cheeks and breast, and a rusty-brown back. Its wings feature distinctive white patches and bars, contrasting beautifully with the darker feathers.
Male chaffinches have a blue bill during the breeding season, which becomes pinkish-grey once breeding ends.
Females and juveniles are less vibrant, with olive-brown upperparts and whitish underparts. Both sexes display white outer tail feathers, visible in flight.
Size
Length
14cm to 16cm
Wingspan
24cm to 28cm
Weight
18g to 29g
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Chaffinches are widely distributed across Europe, extending into western Asia and North Africa. They thrive in various wooded habitats, including deciduous and mixed forests, parks, gardens, and hedgerows.
In the UK, chaffinches are residents year-round and are one of the most common garden birds. Northern European populations often migrate south for winter, while those in milder regions tend to be sedentary.
They are also found in parts of Australia and New Zealand, where they were introduced in the 19th century.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 1,850 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subarctic
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
The main diet of chaffinches is invertebrates, in particular caterpillars, but a variety of other insects are also readily eaten. In winter, seeds become a key element of a chaffinch’s diet.
They are often seen foraging on the ground in gardens, scouring grass and fallen leaves for any natural seeds or tiny insects.
In winter months berries and nuts may also be eaten by hungry chaffinches. They don’t usually eat from hanging feeders or bird tables, preferring instead to hop around on the ground below and pick up any seeds, nuts or mealworms that other visiting birds have spilt.
Behaviour
Chaffinches are known for their energetic hopping behaviour on the ground. They are often seen foraging in small flocks outside the breeding season. Their distinctive flight pattern is characterised by bounding movements and flashes of white on their wings and tail.
During courtship, males perform elaborate displays, including puffing up their feathers and singing vigorously to attract females.
Vocalisation
The Chaffinch's song is a lively, descending trill ending in a flourish, often described as 'chip-chip-chip-chip-chooee-churr'. Usually repeated several times in quick succession from the upper branches of nearby trees.
Their call is a distinctive 'pink pink' or 'fink fink', usually heard when perched, giving rise to their name in many languages. A rain call is also well-known, consisting of a buzzing note that can signal wet weather on the horizon.
Males have a varied repertoire and can learn different song dialects, adding complexity to their vocalisations.
Nesting & Breeding
Chaffinches begin their breeding season in late April to early May. Males establish territories and attract females with their melodious songs and vibrant plumage displays.
The female constructs an exquisite cup-shaped nest, typically in the fork of a tree or dense shrub. The nest is made of moss, grass, and small twigs, beautifully camouflaged with lichen and spider webs. She lays 4-5 pale blue-green eggs with purplish-brown speckles.
Incubation lasts about 11-14 days, performed solely by the female. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after 13-14 days. Chaffinches often raise two broods per season in favourable conditions.
Lifespan
The Chaffinch typically lives for 3 to 15 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 29 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
The Chaffinch is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN due to its large range and stable population. However, like many birds, it faces threats from habitat loss and climate change.
Conservation efforts focus on maintaining diverse woodland habitats and promoting wildlife-friendly gardening practices.
Birdwatching Tips
- Listen for their distinctive 'pink pink' call and melodious song to locate them
- Look for their characteristic white wing bars and tail flashes during flight
- Visit woodland edges, parks, and gardens, especially in the UK and Europe
- Observe feeders in the morning or late afternoon when they're most active
- Pay attention to their energetic hopping behaviour on the ground
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Common Chaffinch
Family:
FringillidaePredators
Did You Know?
- The Chaffinch's scientific name, Fringilla coelebs, means 'bachelor finch', as Carl Linnaeus noticed male and female flocks separating in winter.
- Chaffinches are known for their 'rain call', a series of repetitive notes often heard before wet weather.
- Chaffinch singing competitions were once popular in some European countries, with prized birds fetching high prices.
- Chaffinches can live for 29 years in captivity, with the oldest wild ringed bird at 15.6 years.
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References
- 3 4
website: BirdLife International. 2019. Fringilla coelebs (amended version of 2018 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T22720030A155432370.
View source - 5
report, 2015: EBCC
- 2
website, 2000: Carey and Judge, Longevity Records: Life Spans of Mammals, Birds, Amphibians, Reptiles, and Fish
View source - 1
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source