Chaffinch

Fringilla coelebs

The European population, of this bird, is regarded as secure.

The Chaffinch is among the most popular spring songsters. It is the second commonest breeding bird, and is arguably the most colourful of the 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.

Nesting: In bushes or low trees, of grasses decorated with lichen.

Eggs: 4-5, dark spotted greenish.

Food: Varied, insects and seeds. Although normally thought of as a ground feeders it is not uncommon for Chaffinches to feed from feeders, especially those with our perching rings.

Call: 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 5km from home.