Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebs
Visual Identification
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
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Chaffinch. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons