Brambling
Fringilla montifringilla
Habitat
The Brambling is found as a breeding bird in northern and northeastern Europe as far east as Russia. It winters throughout Europe, except in Poland and Iceland. In addition, the Brambling migrates towards North Africa, the Middle East and certain parts of Asia for wintering.
During the breeding season, this bird species inhabits birch forests, willow forests, coniferous forests and mixed deciduous and coniferous forests. In tundra areas, the Brambling lives along the edges near thickets of Dwarf Birch and Willow. In southern breeding grounds, the Brambling occurs near rivers with Alder nearby.
Outside the breeding season the habitat consists of areas with deciduous trees (with especially Hornbeam), beech forests, agricultural fields, weed fields and orchards.
In the Netherlands, the Brambling is found mainly near moors, in city parks, cemeteries, green gardens and avenues.
Appearance
Diet
During the summer the Brambling feeds on small invertebrates. During the winter period, this bird species feeds on seeds and fruits.
Breeding
The breeding period takes place from May to early August. The mating system consists of serial monogamy, which means that the pair only bonds for 1 breeding season.
The male produces a song to attract a mate. He sits on a prominent perch and holds his beak wide open to sing a squeaky song. The male holds the head back and raises the crown feathers. He will leave the wing closest to the female hanging so the female can view the plumage. The male will partially spread the tail and sometimes makes low and silent flights with slow wing beats to impress the female.
The pair will work together to select a suitable nest site and defend the nesting territory from others. The female builds loose cups that serve as a nest of grass, heather bark, birch bark, juniper bark, moss, lichen, animal hair, feathers and cobwebs. The nest is located 1 to 15 m above the ground in the fork or against the trunk of a tree.
The female lays 5 to 7 eggs and incubates them in 11 to 12 days. The male will provide the female with food in the meantime. The chicks are fed by both parents and remain in the nest for 13 to 14 days.
How can you help the Brambling?
The Brambling is a scarce breeding bird in the Netherlands and its population as a wintering bird is steadily declining. This is because its numbers are highly dependent on the Fenno-Scandinavian situation and on good or bad Beech years. This is why the Brambling is on the Red List of Dutch breeding birds.
You can help the Brambling in winter by setting up a feeding table in the garden. Fill the feeding table with seeds such as sunflower seeds and seeds of Beech, Alder, Larch and Spanish ash.