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24

Common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) Alternate name(s): "Chaffinch" German name(s): "Buchfink" Size: 14-16 cm; wing span 24.5-28.5 cm Weight: 15-30 g

Europe: Family Group 24 Family Group 24 Table White Wagtail Western Yellow Wagtail Grey Wagtail Tawny Pipit Berthelot's Pipit Red-throated Pipit Tree Pipit Meadow Pipit Water Pipit Eurasian Rock Pipit Greater Short-toed Lark Calandra Lark Woodlark Eurasian Skylark Bearded Reedling House Sparrow Tree Sparrow Spanish Sparrow Rock Sparrow Trumpeter Finch European Serin Atlantic Canary Red-fronted Serin Eurasian Siskin Common Redpoll Arctic Redpoll Common Linnet Brambling Common Chaffinch European Goldfinch Eurasian Bullfinch Hawfinch Common Crossbill Common Rosefinch Yellowhammer Cirl Bunting Common Reed Bunting Ortolan Bunting Black-headed Bunting Corn Bunting Rock Bunting House Bunting Thumbnails page Family group table Index of bird names European birds home page

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description Common Chaffinchs are medium-sized to large finches. Their plumage is dimorphic, i.e. males and females are slightly different. In addition, male Common Chaffinches have slightly different plumage when breeding and in eclipse. During the breeding season the black frons of male Common Chaffinches is more prominent and the front, from chin to belly, and the sides of the head are brighter chestnut than at other times of the year. The lower belly, vent and undertail coverts are chestnut-grey to grey. Their most prominent features are the white wing bars, which contrast conspicuously with the dark-grey flight feathers, which have light-yellow edge linging. The tips of the coverts are also light-yellow. The cap, nape and sides of the neck are bluish-grey. The mantle is dark-brown, while the rump is olive. The tail is dark-grey. In eclipse the colours become duller. In particular, the black on the frons is less conspicuous and the blue-grey head turns more brownish-grey; also the chestnut front becomes paler. Females are much duller than males. The parts that are chestnut in males are buffish grey-white, as are the wing bars. Head and upperparts are well-camouflaged, in various shades of grey. Juveniles resemble females. Twitcher's tip Note that the plumage of both male and female Common Chaffinches displays so much variability that the validity of many of the currently accepted races in the "coelebs" group, which are largely based on morphological variations, is in doubt.

Taxonomy, classification See Common Chaffinch at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species Click here for information on habitat and range The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org . The global distribution of the Common Chaffinch is available HERE . Common Chaffinches are a migratory species. There are many races which can be subdivided into three groups (for details see a field guide). In Eurasia nominate race "coelebs" is found. Apart from Europe, they also populate part of the north-African fringe (in particular the Atlas Mountains), the near-costal parts of Asia Minor and the area between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. During the breeding season they extend their range to the tundras of central Asia (except the northernmost parts), anywhere northward of Kurdistan. In winter these summer breeding grounds are left and many Common Chaffinches migrate into the permanently occupied areas or to winter quarters in the South, which range from the northern coastal fringe of Africa, via the Middle East and all of Asia Minor to Iran and Iraq in the East. Common Chaffinches, race "coelebs", are present all year round anywhere in western, central and southern Europe, from the British Isles to Poland and from Denmark to the Mediterranean countries. During the breeding season they extend their range into most of Scandinavia (except the northernmost parts) and into eastern Europe (and beyond).

Sightings Click here for sighting information Race "coelebs" D. Wilczynska reports spotting Common Chaffinches, race "coelebs", regularly in the area of Ostrow Mazowiecka to Brok, Masovia, Poland. M. Thomas reports spotting Common Chaffinches, race "coelebs", occasionally in Eltville, Hessen, Germany. M. Eaton found Common Chaffinches, race "coelebs", near Oslo airport, Oslo, Norway, in June 2018. H. Dahlem-Senger reports spotting a Common Chaffinch, race "coelebs", near Eltville, Hessen, Germany, in March 2020, and near Oberkirch, Baden-Württemberg, Germany in September 2020. G. Normand found Common Chaffinches, race "coelebs", at Fretin, Hauts-de-France, France, in May 2021. In the past we have seen Common Chaffinches, race "coelebs", regularly in the Eifel, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, over decades since the 1960ies. They were mostly found in deciduous forests and woodland. Race "caucasica" M. Eaton found Common Chaffinches, race "caucasica", at Split, Croatia, in September 2019. Race "balearica" J. Pires reports spotting Common Chaffinches, race "balearica", regularly in southern/central Portugal. Race "sarda" D. Wilczynska reports spotting Common Chaffinches, race "sarda", near Cala Gonone, eastern Sardinia, Italy, in June 2016. Race "moreletti" J. Pires reports spotting Common Chaffinches, race "moreletti", on the Azores in November 2018.

Photos

Race "coelebs"

ADULT

MALE

BREEDING

Near-frontal view of a male Common Chaffinch in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of M. Thomas)
[Eltville, Hessen, Germany, March 2018]

Near-frontal/ventral view of a male Common Chaffinch in breeding plumage; this is the bird whose calls were recorded on 3 May 2019 (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Ostrow Mazowiecka, Masovia, Poland, May 2019]

Close-up near-frontal/ventral view of a male Common Chaffinch in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of G. Normand)
[Fretin, Hauts-de-France, France, May 2021]

Near-lateral view of a male Common Chaffinch in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of M. Thomas)
[Eltville, Hessen, Germany, March 2018]

Lateral/ventral view of a male Common Chaffinch in breeding plumage issuing its call; this is the bird whose calls were recorded on 3 May 2019 (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Ostrow Mazowiecka, Masovia, Poland, May 2019]

Lateral/ventral view of a male Common Chaffinch in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Brok, Masovia, Poland, April 2016]

Lateral/ventral view of a Common Chaffinch, slightly different posture (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Brok, Masovia, Poland, April 2016]

Near-dorsal view of a Common Chaffinch in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Ostrow Mazowiecka, Masovia, Poland, May 2016]

Dorsal view of a male Common Chaffinch in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Brok, Masovia, Poland, April 2016]

NON-BREEDING

Frontal view of a male Common Chaffinch in non-breeding plumage; note the pale, brownish colours
(photo courtesy of M. Thomas)
[Eltville, Hessen, Germany, January 2019]

Near-frontal/ventral view of a male Common Chaffinch with a rather pale front; this bird may still be moulting into its breeding plumage (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Ostrow Mazowiecka, Masovia, Poland, May 2016]

Lateral view of a male Common Chaffinch in non-breeding plumage (photo courtesy of M. Thomas)
[Eltville, Hessen, Germany, January 2019]

FEMALE

Near-frontal view of a female Common Chaffinch (photo courtesy of M. Thomas)
[Eltville, Hessen, Germany, March 2018]

Lateral view of a female Common Chaffinch (photo courtesy of M. Thomas)
[Eltville, Hessen, Germany, March 2018]

Close-up lateral view of a female Common Chaffinch with what looks like a young shoot (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Near Oslo airport, Oslo, Norway, June 2018]

Race "caucasica"

ADULT

MALE

BREEDING

Frontal view of a male Common Chaffinch in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Split, Croatia, September 2019]

Near-lateral view of a male Common Chaffinch in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Split, Croatia, September 2019]

Close-up lateral view of a male Common Chaffinch in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Split, Croatia, September 2019]

Near-dorsal view of a male Common Chaffinch in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Split, Croatia, September 2019]

FEMALE

Near-frontal view of a female Common Chaffinch (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Split, Croatia, September 2019]

Lateral view of a female Common Chaffinch (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Split, Croatia, September 2019]

Race "balearica"

ADULT

MALE

BREEDING

Frontal view of a male Common Chaffinch in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, February 2014]

Near-frontal view of a male Common Chaffinch in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, March 2016]

Lateral view of a male Common Chaffinch in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sao Marcos da Ataboeira, Castro Verde, Alentejo, Portugal, February 2023]

Lateral view of a male Common Chaffinch in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Santa Justa, Coruche, Santarem, Portugal, February 2018]

Lateral view of a male Common Chaffinch in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, February 2014]

Lateral view of a male Common Chaffinch in worn breeding plumage (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Montargil, Alentejo, Portugal, July 2016]

NON-BREEDING

Lateral view of a male Common Chaffinch in non-breeding plumage (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, December 2013]

View onto the upperparts of a male Common Chaffinch in non-breeding plumage in low flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Coruche, Santarem, Portugal, January 2019]

FEMALE

Frontal view of a female Common Chaffinch looking sideways (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Near Mora, Evora, Portugal, February 2022]

Near-frontal view of a female Common Chaffinch (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Soto de las Juntas, Madrid, Spain, December 2019]

Lateral view of a female Common Chaffinch (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Near Mora, Evora, Portugal, January 2022]

Lateral view of a female Common Chaffinch (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, May 2019]

Lateral view of a female Common Chaffinch (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, March 2019]

Lateral view of a female Common Chaffinch hiding in a dark spot (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, January 2014]

Lateral view of a female Common Chaffinch with a substantial meal (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, December 2017]

Dorsal view of a female Common Chaffinch (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Divor river, Mora, Evora, Portugal, January 2021]

Race "sarda"

ADULT

FEMALE

Frontal view of a female Common Chaffinch (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Near Cala Gonone, eastern Sardinia, Italy, June 2016]

Near-frontal view of a female Common Chaffinch (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Near Cala Gonone, eastern Sardinia, Italy, June 2016]

Lateral view of a Common Chaffinch in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Near Cala Gonone, eastern Sardinia, Italy, June 2016]

Near-dorsal view of a Common Chaffinch in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Near Cala Gonone, eastern Sardinia, Italy, June 2016]

Race "moreletti"

ADULT

MALE

BREEDING

Lateral view of a male Common Chaffinch in breeding plumage; note the dull colours of this race
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Faial Island, Azores, November 2018]

NON-BREEDING

Lateral view of a male Common Chaffinch in non-breeding plumage; note the dull colours of this race
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Pico Island, Azores, November 2018]

Lateral view of a male Common Chaffinch in non-breeding plumage (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Faial Island, Azores, November 2018]

Near-dorsal view of a male Common Chaffinch in non-breeding plumage (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Faial Island, Azores, November 2018]

FEMALE

Frontal view of a female Common Chaffinch looking sideways (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sao Jorge Island, Azores, November 2018]

Lateral view of a female Common Chaffinch (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Terceira Island, Azores, November 2018]

Near-dorsal view of a female Common Chaffinch (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Faial Island, Azores, November 2018]

Near-dorsal view of a female Common Chaffinch (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sao Jorge Island, Azores, November 2018]

Behaviour

Male Common Chaffinch having a bath (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2020]

Like most other finches and related species, especially outside the breeding season, Common Chaffinches are gregarious birds and can be found in substantial flocks.

Mob of Common Chaffinches feeding together (photo courtesy of H. Dahlem-Senger)
[Eltville, Hessen, Germany, January 2022]

Food, Diet

Like all finches known to us, Common Chaffinches are mainly seed-eaters.

Note that cardueline finches (i.e. European Goldfinch, European Greenfinch, Eurasian Siskin and their close relatives) feed their young primarily regurgitated seeds, while fringilline finches (all others) feed their young primarily invertebrates.

Male Common Chaffinch taking flesh from a fallen acorn (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, January 2016]

Female Common Chaffinch taking a berry (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Ostrow Mazowiecka, Masovia, Poland, September 2016]

Female Common Chaffinch "harvesting" corn (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, January 2014]

Male Common Chaffinch drinking water from a tiny, muddy puddle (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Ostrow Mazowiecka, Masovia, Poland, May 2016]

Male Common Chaffinch drinking water from a tiny, muddy puddle (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Ostrow Mazowiecka, Masovia, Poland, May 2016]

Call(s)/Song

For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The interpretation of their meaning is our own; comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

chfinch_dw_20190429.m4a	coelebs (Poland)	Territorial calls (male)	© DW
chfinch_dw_20170522.m4a	coelebs (Poland)	Territorial calls (male)	© DW
chfinch_dw_20170522_NR.m4a	coelebs (Poland)	Territorial calls (male); no bkgd	© DW
chfinch_dw_20160529.m4a	coelebs (Poland)	Territorial calls (male)	© DW
chfinch_dw_20160529_2.m4a	coelebs (Poland)	Territorial call (male)	© DW
chfinch_dw_20190503.m4a	coelebs (Poland)	Territorial calls (male) (+ Eurasian Siskin)	© DW
chfinch_dw_20160507.m4a	coelebs (Poland)	Territorial calls	© DW
chfinch_dw_20160505.m4a	coelebs (Poland)	?	© DW
chfinch_jp_20230113.mp3	balearica (Portugal)	Contact calls(?)	© JP
chfinch_jp_20190522.m4a	balearica (Portugal)	Territorial call (male)	© JP
chfinch_jp_20200323.m4a	balearica (Portugal)	Territorial calls (male)	© JP
chfinch_jp_20200322.m4a	balearica (Portugal)	Territorial calls (males, Q&A)	© JP
chfinch_jp_20200412.m4a	balearica (Portugal)	Territorial calls (male) (+ Hoopoe)	© JP
chfinch_jp_20230217.mp3	balearica (Portugal)	Abbreviated territorial call?	© JP
chfinch_jp_20201026.m4a	balearica (Portugal)	Alarm calls	© JP
chfinch_jp_20190606.m4a	balearica (Portugal)	Various	© JP

More Common Chaffinch sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

Would you like to contribute photos or sound recordings to this site? If interested, please CLICK HERE. Credits to contributors are given HERE.

Disclaimer: Comments are always welcome. We give no guarantee that the information presented on these pages is always correct or up-to-date. External links are marked as such and we take no responsibility for the contents of external pages. All images on this site are protected by copyright & used by permission of the respective owners. If you wish to reproduce them or any of the material presented on this web site, please contact us: We hereby acknowledge the original custodians of the land which is described on these pages, including the Gomeroi/Gamilaraay people of the North-west Slopes and Plains of NSW, and the traditional owners of other lands and nations within this country. We acknowledge elders past, present and emerging. Sovereignty was never ceded.          Last updated: Mon, 15 May 2023, 4:18 +00:00