The Chaffinch

Fringilla coelebs

The Chaffinch is among the most popular spring songsters in the UK. It is the second commonest breeding bird, and is arguably the most colourful of the UK's finches. Its patterned overcoat helps it to blend in when feeding on the ground and it becomes most obvious when it flies, revealing a flash of white on the wings and white outer tail feathers.

Size

15cm

Weight

19-23g

Habitat

Hedgerows, gardens and farmland.

Nest

In bush or low tree, of grasses decorated with lichen.

Eggs

4-5, dark spotted greenish.

Food

Varied, insects and seeds.

Voice

Spink call; rattling song ends with flourish; choop in flight.

Characteristics

There are seven million pairs distributed throughout Britain and Ireland. Chaffinches rarely move more than five km from home.

BTO Statistics

The Chaffinch's current status is green.

Breeding

Anywhere with trees, bushes, farmland hedgerows parks and rural and suburban gardens.

Feeding

Although normally thought of as a ground feeders it is not uncommon for Chaffinches to feed from feeders, especially those with our perching rings.
You'll usually hear Chaffinches before you see them, with their loud song and varied calls.