Bird 🐦
🐦
Fringilla coelebs
| Size | 14.5 cm About the size of a House Sparrow |
|---|---|
| Weight | 18–29 g About the weight of a large strawberry |
| Lifespan | 3 years |
| Rarity | Common |
| M vs F | Males have a pink-red breast and blue-grey cap; females are olive-brown and much plainer |
| Habitat | Woodland, hedgerows, parks, gardens, farmland in winter |
| Best time | Year-round; large mixed flocks in winter fields |
| Conservation | UK: Green LC |
Did you know?
Chaffinches learn their songs from neighbouring males — birds in different regions develop distinct local 'dialects'
Chaffinches learn their songs from neighbouring males — birds in different regions develop distinct local 'dialects'
More for experts
The species name 'coelebs' means bachelor — in winter, males and females form separate flocks, which puzzled early naturalists
Often confused with
Brambling (orange shoulder, white rump), Bullfinch (black cap, red breast)
Brambling (orange shoulder, white rump), Bullfinch (black cap, red breast)