Sirhowy Hill Woodlands

Scientific name: Fringilla coelebs

Chaffinch

The Chaffinch is a very common, sparrow-sized finch of gardens, woodland, parks and farmland. Chaffinches build neat, bowl-shaped nests in trees and shrubs. They feed on seeds and insects and will happily visit birdtables, but do not feed openly on feeders, preferring to hop about on the ground and under hedges instead. Chaffinches are present all year-round and nearly 6 million pairs breed here in summer. They have a loud, pleasant song.

How to identify the Chaffinch?

Unmistakeable: the male Chaffinch is one of the most colourful garden birds with a blue-grey crown, brown back and pink breast. Females are brown but are less streaky than female House Sparrows, and have white shoulder patches and wingbars.

How can I help?

You can help to look after Chaffinches and other garden birds by providing food and water for them – it doesn’t matter if you have a big garden or live in a high-rise flat, there are plenty of feeders, baths and food choices out there to suit all kinds of situations.

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Statistics

Scientific Name

Fringilla coelebs

Location

England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland

Population

Widespread across the UK

Other Wildlife