Chaffinch, (Fringilla coelebs, Linnaeus, 1758)
Family: Fringillidae,
Length: 14.5cm. Wingspan: 25 to 28cm. Weight: 19 to 23g. Lifespan: 2 to 5 years.
Seen in the U.K. All Year.
The Chaffinch is a common and widespread bird, throughout the U.K. Europe and south into North Western Africa and nearby Atlantic Islands. Also, South Africa and into Asian countries, that have a temperate range between 12c to 30c in July.
The male and female birds are easy to distinguish apart, the male is a more colourful bird, with a pinkish to a fading orange coloured breast, which the female lacks, she being much duller in colouring. Both sexes have two contrasting white wing bars and white sides to their tails.
The male bird will often be seen on an exposed perch, singing to attract a female with his powerful rhythmical song.
Nesting: Mainly between late April to mid-June (depending on weather temperatures), in the U.K. The nest is very neat cup, made from moss, leaves, grass, lichen and cobweb silk. All skilfully camouflaged against a trunk, or forks within branches of trees and bushes. 4 to 5 eggs are laid, hatching within 14 days, 1 brood a year. Young take a further 14 days, before they leave the nest, the adults will continue to feed the young, for a further 7 weeks. The young will be fed a variety of caterpillars and insects.
Feeding: On caterpillars, various insects, berries and seeds. They have a particular liking for sunflower seeds.
Habitat: Pine forests, Woodlands, conifer plantations, Hedgerows, urban gardens and parks.
In the winter time will be seen more at the garden bird table, for various seeds.
Wintertime will form flocks, sometimes will be seen flying with bramblings.
Using the ring recovery data, the survival rate for juveniles in their first year was 53 per cent, the adult annual survival rate was 59 per cent. Showing a Chaffinches typical lifespan, is only 3 years.
The Chaffinch was once a popular “caged” bird in the 19th century. Large numbers were trapped (mainly males, for their song and attractive appearance). Because of this, their population predictably declined throughout Europe. The trapping of wild birds was outlawed by the U.K. Wild Birds Protection Acts of 1880 to 1896.