Common Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebs
Aves › Passeriformes › Fringillidae › Fringilla
Conservation status: least_concern
The Common Chaffinch is a colorful finch with males displaying striking blue-grey heads, warm buff underparts, and bold white wing patches that flash in flight. Females are more subdued in brown and grey tones, but both sexes share the distinctive white spots on their tail feathers and a characteristic metallic "pink-pink-pink" call.
How To Identify
A medium-sized, sturdy finch with males displaying vibrant orange breasts contrasted by blue and green markings on their heads and wings. Females are generally duller brown but retain distinct streaking and prominent wing bars.
Habitat
The Common Chaffinch lives in woodland, farmland, and gardens.
Behaviour
The Common Chaffinch exhibits behavior by walking along the ground to pick up seeds and by males singing repetitive descending phrases.
Native Range
The Common Chaffinch is native to Eurasia from western Europe and Asia Minor to Siberia.
Did You Know?
Its Latin name means 'celibate finch' — Linnaeus observed females leaving in winter and males staying behind.
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