Collection: Chaffinch

Many of these will be Continental migrants that have come to Britain to escape the bitter European winters and will return as springtime approaches. Others may be those displaced from their previous feeding areas on stubble fields. When we examine our breeding population the overall position is a little different from other native finches.

Chaffinches nest in coniferous and deciduous woodland as well as hedgerows, parks and gardens. The male is brightly coloured especially as the breeding season approaches. He has a grey crown and nape contrasting with a chestnut-coloured face and pink breast and the tail is black with white outer feathers. The female is much duller and lacks the grey on the head. Both sexes have significant white wing patches, which are diagnostic of the species.

As ground-feeding seed-eaters Chaffinches will take Haith's Wild Bird Foods and Black Sunflower Seeds and also Sunflower Hearts are eagerly taken.