Fringilla coelebs - Chaffinch
Feather characters. Barbules are from short to medium length (0.4-1.2 mm). Barbules are divided into pigmented nodes and unpigmented internodes. Bell-shaped nodes are equally distributed along the entire length of barbules (36-44 per mm). They all are about the same size, slightly decreasing towards distal end. Villi are rounded and internodes are straight. Minute prongs are present on distal end of barbules and on both sides of the pennulum. Barbules have this typical structure for Passeriformes; pigmented, bell-shaped nodes combined with rounded villi.
Field characters. Size 15 cm. Weight: male 21.9 g (17.0-28.5), female 20.9 g (18.0-27.0) (Dunning, 1993). Both sexes show combination of white outer rectrices, lesser wing-coverts and an obvious double wing bar across inner wing, unlike other finches. Male has bluish grey head with pinkish brown sides, warm rufous brown mantle and back, olive-green rump, black tail and wings, and pinkish brown underparts. Female is mainly grey-brown. Bill strong and pointed. A slight crest, giving rear head a peaked appearance. Low shuffling gait on ground. In winter often in flocks, sometimes mixed with Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla, not included in BRIS), other finches, buntings or larks.
Voice. Call clear 'pink', in flight 'juup'. Song loud, descending, somewhat reminiscent of song of Willow Warbler but less mellow and with more trills.
Distribution. Common throughout the year. Summer visitor to northern Scandinavia. Strong migration through and into western Europe in autumn. Map: see MapIt.
Habitat. Breeds in deciduous and coniferous woodlands, orchards, parks and gardens. In winter also in open areas and large flocks can be seen on arable fields, dunes, or along road sides in open country if some cover is nearby.
Food. During summer invertebrates and seeds, in winter mainly seeds and fruits.