The chaffinch is one of the commonest and most widespread birds in Europe and can be found in any habitats in all areas of the UK, hopping along the ground with jerky head movements. The numbers are gradually decreasing which experts suggest is possibly as a result of weed control on farmland. This sociable, chirpy bird has up to six different song types and is sometimes called a ‘Spink’ which relates to the ‘fink’ or ‘vink’ sound of its call.

Length: 14.5cm

Wingspan: 15-18cm

Conservation Status: Green

Description: Chaffinches are easily distinguished from other finches. Males have a pink face with a black forehead, pink breast and belly, black wings and a black tail with white outer feathers. The males are very colourful and although females have the same facial features they are much plainer, with an olive-brown plumage. Juveniles look very similar to the females. The male chaffinch has a blue bill in breeding season but at other times it’s a dull grey-pink colour.

Nesting: Chaffinches will breed wherever there is woodland and especially love coniferous plantations, although a garden or park with lots of trees and bushes will suit them too. The female builds the nest in the forks of trees or concealed bushes using moss, grass, lichens, roots and feathers all held together with spiders’ webs. They produce a single brood with 4-5 eggs which are either bluish in colour or can be reddish-grey with purple-brown blotches and scrawls. Incubation lasts 10-16 days and is carried out by females.

Feeding: Young chaffinches eat caterpillars and other live foods but adults choose seeds, fruits, berries, grains, millet, suet, peanut kernels and even apple slices! You can spot them in winter at bird feeders.

Ultiva Suet Pellets	4-Season Feeder Mix	4-Season Table and Ground Mix	Did you know?
			The chaffinch is a popular pet bird in many countries, but years ago they would be trapped in the wild and captured for ‘sport’. In Belgium this ‘sport’ was called ‘vinkenzetting’. Vinkenzetting involved putting male chaffinches up against each other in a contest for the most bird calls in one hour!

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