Common chaffinch
Fringilla coelebs
Habitat
The Common chaffinch is found throughout Europe, with the exception of Iceland and the northern part of Scandinavia. This bird species lives in lowlands, low-lying deciduous forests, mixed forests, and coniferous forests. In addition, the Common chaffinch inhabits parks, gardens, orchards, hedges, agricultural areas, edges of tundra, heathland, copses, clearings, and forest edges. Outside the breeding season, the Common chaffinch also occurs in other vegetation types, such as fallow land, stubble fields, palm fields, and desert oases.
Appearance
Diet
The Common chaffinch is an omnivore. This means that this bird species feeds on both animal and plant matter.
Breeding
The breeding season runs from mid-May to mid-July. The Common chaffinch has a monogamous mating system, whereby the pair bond remains intact in subsequent years. The male has his own territory, which he uses for courtship and nesting. Courtship behavior consists of singing to attract a female.
The male will then display his plumage and perform a low ‘moth flight’. Upon landing, he will crouch sideways next to the female. The male will then show his flanks and belly to the female. These courtship behaviors occur repeatedly. When the female responds positively, she will fly behind the male in a rapid zigzag motion.
The female builds the nest, which consists of a deep cup of moss, lichen, plant fiber, fine roots, strips of bark, animal hair, and feathers. The nest is located on a branch, against the trunk, or in the fork of a tree or shrub.
The brood consists of one clutch, but sometimes two clutches occur. The female lays three to five eggs and incubates them for 10 to 16 days. After hatching, the female cares for the young in the nest for 11 to 18 days. After fledging, the young will continue to be fed by both parents for up to 21 days.