Photographer and bird lover AnnMackieMiller presents views of British birds in their natural habitats. Photographic series and information on the behaviour of common garden birds and rarer species.
The pretty chaffinch is the most common finch found in Britain.
It is about 6 inches in length, weighs under 1lb, and has a wing span of about 10 inches. It has a long tail and its short conical beak is ideal for breaking into seeds that is its favourite food, often taken from the ground.
The male is characterised by a grey-blue cap and neck; a chestnut back with pink underparts and a greenish rump. He has white shoulder patches and wing flashes that are more obvious when he is in flight.
The female is olive green with a brown tinge. She has greyish-white underparts and narrow white wing-bars.
female chaffinch at feeder by annmackiemiller
VIDEO of Chaffinch Singing
If you would like to know what a chaffinch sounds like, click this link. Chaffinch Singing
Male Chaffinch by annmackiemiller
What do chaffinches eat?
caterpillars and insects
seeds and berries
grass and herb seeds
How do Chaffinches nest?
they tend to pick hollows in trees and build a rough cup of a nest they will line with moss.
they lay around 4 or 5 eggs
the eggs are only incubated by the female
they hatch in around 12 days.
chicks are fed by both parents
they fledge in around 15 days
they mostly only have the one brood every year
They will nest in your hedge so be careful when you clip it.
They will come to feeder but also provide them with a ground feeder that is protected from predators and large birds. Provide them with a good mix of bird seed and meal worms in breeding season and winter.
Lovely photos Ann. We get a few Chaffinches in our garden, lovely birds.
ReplyDeleteLoved reading about the beautiful chaffinch, they visit us too :) Gorgeous photos Ann.
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