Common Chaffinch
Common Chaffinch Facts
| Size | 5.5-7 inches (14-18 cm) |
| Speed | Unknown |
| Weight | 0.63-0.88 ounces (18-25 grams) |
| Lifespan | 3-5 years |
| Food | Caterpillars, seeds, mealworms |
| Predators | Cats, sparrowhawks, crows, ravens |
| Distribution | Europe, North Africa, West Asia |
| Habitat | Forests, hedges, gardens |
| Order | Passerines |
| Suborder | Songbirds |
| Family | Finches |
| Scientific name | Fringilla coelebs |
| Characteristics | Small passerine; males have bluish-gray head feathers |
Main Characteristics
The common chaffinch or Eurasian chaffinch is a vibrant little finch found throughout Europe. In Germany, it ranks as the seventh most common garden bird. Notable for its distinctive white wing stripe and yellow-green back, the males also sport a striking blue crown, while the females are more subtly brown. We’ll guide you on how to spot this bird in nature and differentiate between males and females.
Distribution and Habitat
Chaffinches are widespread across Europe, North Africa, and parts of Western Asia. They prefer habitats such as forests, thickets, hedgerows, and shrubs. You can often find them in gardens and parks as well.
Anatomy and Appearance
Size and Weight
Chaffinches measure between 5.5-7 inches (14-18 cm) in length and have a wingspan of 9.6-11.2 inches (24.5-28.5 cm). Their weight ranges from 0.63-0.88 ounces (18-25 grams), making them roughly the same size as house sparrows.
Feathers
Both male and female chaffinches display striking white feathers in their wings, complemented by a yellow-green back.
Beak
Chaffinches possess a wedge-shaped beak, which they use to crush seeds before swallowing them.
Differences Between Males and Females
Males
Male chaffinches feature a chest that is brownish to pinkish in color, along with a similarly colored face. Their crown, neck, and beak are bluish-gray.
Females
Female chaffinches have a crown, neck, and beak that are gray-brown to light olive-brown. Their bellies are lighter than those of the males, featuring a reddish to yellowish hue. While they bear some resemblance to female house sparrows, they can be distinguished by the white stripe in their wings.
Diet
Chaffinches are omnivores. During the summer, they primarily consume berries and insects, with a particular fondness for caterpillars. However, in winter, when caterpillars are scarce, they adapt their diet for the colder months. They mainly feed on seeds during this time. They are not very picky about their food but do have a preference for peanuts and mealworms.
Behavior
Song
You usually hear chaffinches before you see them. They are quite loud and often trill a sharp, hard "fink-fink" or "pink-pink" three to four times in quick succession. This call serves as a greeting, but it can also act as a warning. In flight, their song resembles a "yup yup" or "yup." During mating season, males trying to attract females produce a "zip zip zip" sound.
Melodies
Although chaffinches can be easily identified by their calls, each male has up to six unique melodies. They even have regional dialects.
Flight
Chaffinches have a strong, powerful wingbeat. However, they typically fly only short distances, moving in a wave-like pattern as they ascend and descend in the air.
Are Chaffinches Migratory Birds?
Not exactly. In Central Europe, chaffinches are partial migrants. While the males remain in their breeding territories, most females head south. This is why you tend to see more males during the winter months. In Northern and Eastern Europe, however, these birds are true migrators, as the winter temperatures there are too harsh for them.
Life Expectancy
Typically, chaffinches live around 3 to 5 years. However, in Lithuania, a banded individual remarkably reached the age of 21 years and 3 months.
Enemies and Threats
Natural Enemies
The primary natural threats to adult chaffinches include domestic cats and birds of prey, such as sparrowhawks. Additionally, predators often target their eggs and chicks. Crows, ravens, squirrels, martens, and weasels are known to raid their nests.
Diseases
Chaffinches can be affected by parasites known as trichomonads, which can also be fatal to European greenfinches and other bird species. For those who enjoy feeding these birds in their gardens, it is essential to regularly clean the feeding area. This simple practice helps prevent the spread of disease.
Attracting Chaffinches
Why Don’t Chaffinches Visit Bird Feeders?
Unlike many other native birds, chaffinches are ground feeders. This means they prefer not to access elevated feeding spots. Instead, they stay on the ground, enjoying food that has fallen from birdhouses. They feel more secure down low. If you want to feed these birds, it's important to keep this in mind.
Feeding Chaffinches
Chaffinches have a fondness for mealworms and peanuts. The easiest way to attract them is by placing crushed peanuts in a bowl on the ground. For those willing to put in a little extra effort, soaking dried mealworms in water before placing them in a bowl can be effective too. However, be cautious: bowls should be brought inside at night to avoid attracting mice and rats. Additionally, it's essential to clean the feeding bowls regularly.
Do Chaffinches Use Nesting Boxes?
Chaffinches are not cavity-nesting birds, so it’s unlikely that they will use nesting boxes.
Reproduction
Mating and Breeding Season
Chaffinches typically breed for the first time at one year of age. The males usually start defending their breeding territories as early as February. During this period, their beaks change color from a horn-like shade to a vibrant steel blue. Additionally, their plumage becomes more vivid and striking to make a favorable impression on the females. However, the actual breeding season begins in April.
The Nest
Location and Height
The female chaffinches are responsible for building the nest. In April, they start searching for suitable nesting materials and the ideal location. They prefer hedges, dense shrubs, or forked branches. Typically, they construct their nests at a height ranging from 6.5-32 feet (2-10 meters).
Construction and Interior
An chaffinch nest is quite attractive. It has a cup shape and is made from small twigs. To ensure it blends in well, the exterior is adorned with green moss, grass, and pieces of bark. Inside, the nest is lined with feathers, spider silk, and wool. It takes about six days to complete the nest. Chaffinches construct a new nest each year, even if they return to the same breeding area.
The Eggs
After mating, the female lays 4 to 5 eggs. These eggs range in color from cream to pale blue and may feature red or brown spots or stripes. Each egg measures about 0.7-0.59 inches (19 x 15 mm) and weighs around 0.07 ounces (2 grams). The incubation period lasts approximately 14 days.
The Chicks
When the chicks hatch, they are both blind and featherless. However, within just 14 days, they develop feathers and are ready to leave the nest. They don’t venture far at first, staying close to their parents for the first two to three weeks to be fed. Their diet primarily consists of caterpillars, which are rich in protein and essential for their growth. After five weeks, they undergo their first molt, and post-molt, their plumage resembles that of the females.
Fun Facts
Chaffinches are often spotted in gardens after mowing the lawn. The short grass makes it much easier for them to find food.
The Chaffinch Is Related To:
- Brambling
- Eurasian Bullfinch
- European Goldfinch
- European Greenfinch
Animals in the Same Biome:
- Cat
- Common Blackbird
- Blue Tit
- Brimstone Butterfly
- Great Spotted Woodpecker
- Great Tit
- Marten
- Owls
- Peacock Butterfly
- Raven
- Robin
- Snails
- Sparrowhawk
- Spiders
- Red Squirrel
- Starling
- Wild Boar
- Worms
- Wren
Sources:
- „Chaffinch“ (https://birdfact.com)
- „Chapter Six - Learning and Cultural Transmission in Chaffinch Song“ (https://www.sciencedirect.com)
- „Four decades later: The highly conserved repertoire of song types in chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)“ (https://www.sciencedirect.com)
- „Ergebnisse der Stunde der Wintervögel in Karte und Tabelle 2025“ (https://www.nabu.de)
- „EURING European Longevity Records 2023“ (https://euring.org)
