Common Chaffinch

Fringilla coelebs

Genus · Chaffinches and Brambling Family · Finches, Euphonias, and Allies

Observation tips Difficulty: EASY

Best time

🕒 Any

Activity

☀️ Diurnal

Best months

Observation habitat

Bird feederForest deciduousGardenUrban

Look for the double white wing bars and white tail edges in flight. Listen for the distinctive 'pink-pink' call note.

♂ Male · ♀ Female

Stats

Wingspan24–28 cm

Weight18–30 g

Length14–16 cm

Lifespan wild2–14 yrs

Size

Nesting

Nest typeCup

Clutch size4–5 eggs

Incubation12–14 days

Breeding months

Regional Status (Europe)

Least Concern (Europe)

IUCN Red List

MigrationPartial migratory

Social BehaviourFlocking

Diet: Omnivore

🫐Berries

🌾Grain

🦗Insects

🌻Seeds

Habitat

🚜 Farmland🌳 Forest deciduous🏡 Garden🏙️ Urban

✦ Fun Fact

The scientific name *coelebs* means 'bachelor'. Carl Linnaeus gave it this name because, in Sweden, female finches migrate south while males often stay behind.

About

The Chaffinch is the most widespread finch in Europe. It lives in every habitat from forests to urban gardens. It is a robust bird with two prominent white wing bars. White outer tail feathers are obvious in flight. It is a resident in much of Europe. Northern populations migrate south in huge numbers during winter. Its voice is one of the most common sounds of the European spring.

Behaviour

Chaffinches are primarily ground-feeders. They hop along the floor to find seeds and insects. They rarely hang from thin twigs like other finches. Their song is a loud, rattling flourish that ends with a 'kick'. In winter, they form large flocks and mix with other finches in fields. They are generally wary but become bold at garden feeders.