The Common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) is a small bird, a passerine (songbird) in the finch family.
The Common Chaffinch has a blue-grey crown and nape, with pale olive-green to brown back, and rusty-brown underparts. The female is duller in colour. Both the male and female have white bars on their black wings and white sides on their black tail.
Common Chaffinch
It measures about 14 centimetres (5 inches) tall, with a wingspan of 24-28 centimetres (9-11 inches).
The Common Chaffinch is widespread across Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. It prefers habitats with trees and bushes. Those that live in cold climates will migrate in winter, whereas those in warmer locations do not migrate.
The Common Chaffinch pictured was photographed in Tbilisi, Georgia, in the Caucasus.
It feed on seeds on the ground. It also eats caterpillars and insects.
The female builds a cup-shaped nest in the fork of a tree. She lines the nest with feathers. She lays 4-5 eggs, which hatch after about 10-16 days. The chicks are born altricial, which means that they do not have feathers and their eyes are closed. The chicks gain their flight feathers after about 14 days. Both parents help to feed the chicks on caterpillars.
Common Chaffinch
Common Chaffinch
Common Chaffinch
[Location of photographs: Tbilisi, Georgia and Paris, France]
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM