The chaffinch is the UK's second commonest breeding bird, and is arguably the most colourful of the UK's finches. Its patterned plumage 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. It does not feed openly on bird feeders - it prefers to hop about under the bird table or under the hedge. You'll usually hear chaffinches before you see them, with their loud song and varied calls.
Key ID Features:
A rather underestimated bird due to its familiarity, particularly the male which is colourfully adorned with pinkish underparts, chin and cheeks, blue-grey cap, nape and shoulders, pinkish-brown back, dark wings with yellow edged primaries, double white wing bars, grey-green rump and a white edged dark tail with grey centre panel seen in flight.
Female is similarly patterned but in buffs, browns and muted blacks.
A communal feeder among mixed flocks of finches and tits with a strong, undulating flight.
Overview
Scientific name: Fringilla coelebs.
Family: Finches (Fringillidae)
Where to see them:
Around the UK in woodlands, hedgerows, fields, parks and gardens anywhere.
Seen in UK:
All year-round.
What they eat
Insects and seeds..
Text (c) RSPB, used with permission
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Photographer: Tim Tapley
